The Council of the Malta Chamber of Geologists - Kamra tal-Ġeoloġi expressed its grave concern about the tragic collapse of an apartment block in Paceville on the 11th June, saying that it is linked to the "failure to implement the Jean Paul Sofia report".

The Sofia inquiry was carried out after the death of young Jean Paul Sofia in Kordin in December 2022. The man died after a building under construction collapsed.

In a statement on Monday, the chamber said the collapse of the building points to failure of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) which was established to avert such tragedies.

The council notes that the BCA continues to refuse to recognise the Malta Chamber of Geologists as a stakeholder of the building and construction industry and has repeatedly denied the Chamber membership on its Building and Construction Consultative Council. The Council commends the public authorities, particularly, the OHSA and the CPD for their timely action and intervention following this tragic event.

Nevertheless, the chamber said it believes authorities should be proactive. The Cchamber notes that there is no evidence that a ground investigation let alone a geological report were carried out at the site in Triq Paceville despite that works on site had reached the demolition/excavation phase.

This situation is reminiscent of the tragic building collapse in Hamrun in March 2020. In that fatal event that resulted in the death of Miriam Pace, the demolition/excavation phase had also proceeded without a geological report.

The tragic building collapse in Paceville highlights the need for reform in the building and construction sector that must include the recognition of the profession of the geologist. The chamber insists that the government implements the recommendation of the Jean Paul Sofia Report which requires that any excavation should be preceded by a geologist's report. Further delays in the implementation of this recommendation undermines public safety.