Updated: Evictions from Fort St Elmo start

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Government Property Division inspectors escorted by a large number of policemen have started evicting squatters from Lower Fort St Elmo, although it seems most had already left after receiving eviction notices last week.

The operation started earlier this morning. The inspectors said everybody was being asked to leave the fort. Authorised carnival enthusiasts registered with the Culture Division were being called individually to show that their warehouses were being used for carnival purposes. All other sections were being sealed.

Despite this arrangement, several of the enthusiasts protested loudly this morning as they were told to leave the fort, particularly because all their "pets" were being removed by SPCA employees. There were about 30 dogs in the fort up to a few days ago.

Also taking part in the operation are workers from the Works Department and the AFM. A watch room for the soldiers who will now be guarding the fort was lifted with a crane.

Personnel from the Occupational Health and Safety Authority are checking some of the rooms to ensure they are structurally safe.

Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi has said that once the fort is cleared of squatters, an AFM guard will be posted to ensure they do not move back in.

Authorised carnival enthusiasts are to continue to use the fort until other premises are made available to them.