The Marsascala Shop Owners’ Association has deplored the bad state of the area of Marsascala known as Il-Maghluq.

It said that this natural heritage is being left to degenerate and is not only dangerous to the environment but is also posing a danger to people who visit the area. It said the amount of rubbish there is “scandalous”, and added that it has become a rubbish dump, as a result of which the area is infested by rats and other creatures.

The association said it has brought the matter to the attention of the local council on numerous occasions but were always told that the area fell within the jurisdiction of the government and that the local council could not clean it up.

It called on Environment and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino to ensure that the area is clean up in everyone’s best interest. It also called on the Malta Tourism Authority to visit tourist zones to see how dilapidated these are.