Forty residents were evacuated from their homes in Paceville this morning, two days after a building collapsed next to an active construction site in St Julian’s.The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) confirmed that a further 40 individuals were asked to leave nearby buildings due to safety concerns, as investigations into the incident continue.The collapsed building had already been evacuated hours before the incident, after architects deemed it structurally unsafe. No injuries were reported, but the case has reignited public concern over construction practices and regulatory oversight in one of Malta’s most densely developed areas.This morning, the minister responsible for the construction sector visited the site, stating that “decisive decisions” were being taken “in the best interest of public safety,” including further preventive evacuations.He thanked all the authorities involved in managing the situation, including the BCA, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), the Civil Protection Department, the police, and the Accident and Emergency Unit at Mater Dei Hospital.“Those affected by this tragedy are being given all the necessary assistance and support, including through a dedicated helpline set up by the BCA,” the minister said. He added that investigations are ongoing and pledged that all necessary steps would be taken.Meanwhile, Lovin Malta received videos and photos yesterday from residents in the area showing visible cracks in nearby buildings. The material was forwarded to the BCA, which confirmed it would be investigating.The incident has added urgency to long-standing calls for construction reform, with residents and civil society groups demanding stronger enforcement, greater accountability, and more transparent safety protocols across the sector.•