Public opinion has been deeply shocked by the St Venera tragedy on Monday in which  a house which had excavation works being carried out next door, suddenly collapsed bringing about the instant death of Miriam Pace, 54, wife and mother of two whose body was found late on Monday under the rubble.

Malta has had a number of house collapses these past years and every time the same scenario plays out - an uprising of anger, maybe a silent protest, and a lot of accusations thrown about. After which something new comes about and the tragedy is quickly forgotten - except by those mourning their beloved one.

Most fingers have been pointed at the contractors and builders but maybe there are other actors who hide in anonymity. It has been pointed out, for example, that the inquiries on many of the recent tragedies have not been concluded yet and this makes it difficult for the heirs to get compensation, at least when they need this most.

It has also been pointed out that quality assurance has become rather neglected and that we must consequently prepare ourselves for more tragedies especially where concrete is involved. The Mater Dei case of inadequate concrete is by no means the only one.

Many have expressed regret that the constant supervision of the past, even in PAPB times, has been allowed to lapse while there are now so many conflicting authorities involved, all getting in each other's feet.

Everybody has been allowed to declare himself a contractor and a builder, without any qualification at all. Appeals for a register of contractors have been made by they fell on deaf ears.

This brings us to another point: by coming together and forming a self-regulatory body, builders and contractors have acquired political status and they may use this new powerful tool with consequent results.

Widening even more, it is indisputable that making the Planning Authority lite and easing the rules and boundaries of the Mepa times have contributed to the vast increase of building applications and the current craze of construction everywhere and by all means which has populated the Malta skyline with tower cranes wherever you look.

Then there are borderline cases - Maltatoday has reported that the architect doing the St Venera works has been given a shareholding in the company doing the work, rather than being an impartial expert.

Now it's all surprise and alarm - it was only after the St Venera tragedy that people noticed how a huge excavation is taking place all around the EC language school in Paceville (the actual classes have been held elsewhere, the school declared) and an independent expert brought in.

Now it's all reaction and steps being taken that sound very much like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Six persons including the contractor have been arrested. Parliament suspended its sitting in sympathy. Funds are being collected.

But a man has been left mourning the wife he lost and so too two brothers left mourning their mother which they left alive in the morning but found dead later that day.