Man dies in roof collapse

An 87-year-old man died tragically late on Saturday night when the roof of his bedroom caved in on him while he was asleep.

Rescue personnel said the man, who police named as Giovanni Camilleri, died on the spot.

The police, civil protection personnel and paramedics were on site in St Mary Street, Sliema within a few minutes but could not get into the house straight away as it was deemed dangerous. The site was then secured by the rescuers.

Some of the slabs which fell from the roof actually punched a sizeable hole through the floor of the upstairs bedroom, right beside the bed.

The roof appears to have given way under the weight of rainwater which gathered at the centre as rain fell throughout the day and night. The rusty beam which spanned the room seems to have buckled under the pressure. The bedside clock, which was still on the floor amid the debris yesterday morning, read 11.25 p.m., probably, the moment of the collapse.

Neighbours who spoke to The Times said they had not heard the collapse and were only alerted that something was wrong when the police and rescue personnel arrived on the scene.

The man used to live alone in the house, which he rented, as most members of his family live in the UK. He was known to retire and rise early and spend most of the day outdoors. Magistrate Miriam Hayman is heading an inquiry.