Controlled evacuation begins at Seaview Apartments in Paceville
Despite warnings from experts, the ordered works have not been carried out
In the last few hours, the Building and Construction Authority made a formal report to the Police regarding the state of the Seaview Apartments building, in Triq San Ġorġ and Triq il-Wilġa, in Paceville.
Immediately, together with the Government Architect, the Police, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority and the Department of
Civil Protection, Water Services Corporation and Enemalta, the decision was taken to evacuate the people living in this same building.
This evacuation was carried out due to the current state of the building which, according to a report made by Prof. Alex Torpiano, who was hired by third parties and presented to the Building and Construction Authority, regarding the condition of the building, it was declared that this building should not be habitable due to lack of maintenance on it by the tenants and owners of the same building.
Back in July 2025, the BCA together with the Paceville Town Centre Management Committee, had welcomed the owners of the apartments and establishments of the building, where it had been decided to hire Prof. Torpiano to evaluate the building. In his initial investigation it had been determined that the building was not in danger or risk to residents or third parties,
however some works were proposed that had to be carried out immediately by the same owners. However, a year later these works had not been carried out, and therefore the building continued to deteriorate, in particular due to sewage leaks in the shafts of the same building.
The BCA continued to follow the developments in relation to this building, where until last June the Authority reminded the apartment owners again to reach an agreement between them and carry out the necessary works and maintenance in order to mitigate the risk. Two months later these works had not been carried out, and therefore the BCA, the Police, and the Government Architect, together with the OHSA
and the Civil Protection had to intervene by ordering the evacuation of the inhabitants.
The BCA also notes that from the same report by Prof. Torpiano, the risks and dangers in this building are all due to a lack of maintenance on the building over the years, and are in no way related to construction work being carried out next to the building.
Source:BCA
Photo: BCA
