Updated 1230
40 People Evacuated from Paceville Building After Collapse: Around 40 people were evacuated from buildings in Paceville as authorities continued dismantling what remains of the apartment block that collapsed on Wednesday night. Several surrounding buildings, including a hotel, shops, and a bar on St George’s Street, were cleared as a precaution. Eight buildings in Malta’s entertainment district were cordoned off, among them the G Hotel, the National Lottery outlet, and Cork’s Irish Pub. Authorities are removing unstable slabs from the collapsed structure to prevent further damage. Construction Minister Jonathan Attard said it was unclear when evacuated residents and businesses could return. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Civil Protection Department, and Occupational Health and Safety Authority are coordinating the response and monitoring the site for safety risks. (Times of Malta)
Employment Tops 327,000 in Early 2025, NSO says: Malta’s labour market continued to show strong performance in early 2025, with total employment reaching 327,643 in the first quarter — an increase of 4.3% over the same period last year, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The Labour Force Survey also showed that 38.2% of the employed population had attained a tertiary level of education, reflecting a growing trend in higher qualifications among workers. Salaries varied significantly across roles, with managers earning an average basic monthly salary of €3,217, while those in elementary occupations earned €1,293. The unemployment rate stood at 2.7%, underscoring a relatively stable job market. Meanwhile, retirement continued to be the main driver of inactivity, with 43.1% of those not in the labour force citing either retirement or early retirement as their reason.
Disability Advocacy Group ‘Deeply Concerned’ by Teachers’ Union LSE Directives: The Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability (MFOPD) has expressed strong concern over directives from the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) instructing Learning Support Educators (LSEs) to prioritise exam invigilation over supporting students with disabilities. MFOPD criticised the move as undermining inclusion and equality, stating it sends a message that disabled students are not equal to their peers. The statement follows a court petition filed by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability and two parents seeking to suspend the directives during June exams. MFOPD called the situation “unacceptable” and urged MUT to reconsider its stance, emphasising that education is a right for all, not a privilege.
Morning Briefing
Cyclist dies in Marsaskala collision
A 67-year-old cyclist from Żejtun died in a traffic accident in Marsaskala on Thursday morning. The collision occurred around 10am in Villa Bate Street and involved a Peugeot Partner van, driven by a 38-year-old man from the Ivory Coast, a Nissan March driven by a 43-year-old Italian woman, and the cyclist. Another passenger, a 38-year-old Italian woman in the Nissan, was taken to Mater Dei Hospital. (Maltatoday)
Robert Aquilina’s wife asks court to stop domestic violence case
Jeanette Aquilina, wife of Repubblika co-founder Robert Aquilina, has formally requested that domestic violence charges against her husband be dropped, stating that her words were being “exploited and manipulated” to tarnish his reputation. In a declaration to Magistrate Lara Lanfranco, she said she refused to take part in what she described as a “persecution” of her husband, adding that the issues between them were personal and not criminal, and largely stemmed from the stress caused by his public role. Referring to a 30 May argument, Jeanette clarified it involved shouting but no physical violence. The incident attracted police attention after a security officer outside their home was alerted. Robert Aquilina has denied any wrongdoing and called for privacy. (Times of Malta)
Architect flagged damage days before Paceville collapse
An architect had flagged new structural damage to the Paceville building days before its collapse, noting issues not present in a condition report from last November. The report, filed with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) on 9 June, prompted a stop works notice on the adjacent construction site a day before the collapse. The report highlighted serious deterioration in Unit 13, including warped façades and failing support pillars. The building, which was evacuated hours before it gave way on Wednesday night, was next to a site undergoing demolition and excavation.(The Malta Independent)