No one was injured on Friday morning when part of a scaffolding collapsed while it was being dismantled, the police said.

The accident happened in Reggie Miller Street at around 8am.

The road is closed temporarily until the scaffolding is cleared.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said in a statement that they are investigating the incident.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the scaffolding collapsed while works were being carried out. Further investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident. The contractor and the developer had obtained the necessary permits from the relevant authorities for the works being undertaken,” the two authorities said.

They added that an operation is currently underway, under the surveillance of both authorities, to remove the scaffolding so that the road can be reopened.

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said the accident confirmed of how necessary it is for the safety of those who live, work or pass through these areas to be protected at all times. This is an urgent priority that the Government can no longer continue to sideline, the PN said.

The authorities have a duty to ensure and enforce the highest safety standards on every construction site. The PN expects it to be established what led to this incident, and for all necessary measures to be taken so that incidents of this kind do not keep repeating themselves.The public has the right to feel safe on the roads, neighbours have the right to feel comfortable in their homes, and workers have the right to work in a safe environment.

This is essential if we are to live in communities that have peace of mind in the environment around them.The fact that no one was injured in this serious incident is no consolation. The Government should not rely on the fact that no one was injured as an excuse to continue doing nothing, the PN said.

The statement was signed by Rebekah Borg, Shadow Minister for Planning.