One person has died and two others were injured this afternoon on a construction site in Gzira.
The accident happened at around 1.15pm in Abate Rigord Street, corner with Gnien Street. The police said the workers were pulling down a balcony when it collapsed, bringing down the scaffolding that had been constructed.
The victim is a 56-year-old from Birkirkara who was certified dead on site, the police said. One of the two injured persons is in a serious condition. He is a 62-year-old man, also of Birkirkara, who the police said is in critical condition.
The third man, a 44-year-old of San Gwann, was also taken to hospital. The police later said he suffered slight injuries.
The man who died was trapped underneath the rubble.
Officials from the Civil Protection Department, the police and a medical team are on site.
The accide t led to a huge traffic congestion on the Gzira seafront.
Magistrate Demicoli ordered an on-site inquiry.
Photos Jonathan Borg