Update 2: Enemalta investigates gas smells, no leakages found

Ludwig Flask

Sep 25th 2009, 06:13

Till today we still haven't had a convincing report/reply from Enemalta!

jschembri

Sep 6th 2009, 22:24

I rule out volcanic activity between Malta-Sicily; if that was the cause some cables would have been affected most probably.

The truth is that we will never be told the truth by the authorities.

Anthony Debono

Sep 6th 2009, 21:06

Where was the wind blowing from?
Could it be the smell originated from a tanker anchored a few miles out at sea?

M. Debono

Sep 6th 2009, 18:54

I happened to be at Pieta at around 11am on that day when I noticed a strong smell of gas coming from outside the apartment. It surely wasn't manure!!!!! I thought all the area was going to blow up at any moment. Strange that so many people in different areas had the same experience at about the same time - and more so that no leaks were detected by Enemalta!!! True that the tests were carried out much later but I believe that to let out such strong smells in such a large area would require enormous quantities of gas to be dispersed in the environment. Surely that amount must have come out of somewhere - I presume.

J.Mifsud

Sep 6th 2009, 10:05

the fact that some people claim that thier eyes get watery suggests that an irritant compound in the odour is present. Such compound can possible be ammonia which can be found in sewage systems. i do suggest that the competent authority moniters what is being flush down in the sewage systems (e.g. grease, oils, chemicals, detergents etc) and investigates any possible chemical reactions can occur in the sewage system.

Joe Micallef

Sep 6th 2009, 09:43

@ Igalea

The issue is not if one is to remain silent or not, but whether to say something sensible or less.

jscerri

Sep 6th 2009, 09:27

Welcome back Ferdinandea, who's going to claim the land this time?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinandea

Nidal Binni

Sep 5th 2009, 15:25

It is true that there could be a number of possibilities for these gas smells, however I cannot help thinking that Malta might have struck oil. If oil hasn't been struck yet, than we may be very close to this historic event. What makes me think so? A series of events are unfolding right before our eyes.....particularily the Italian Gov's remarks regarding the size of Malta's SAR. There seems to be an increasing interest in Malta from countries such as Libya, Qatar and the US. I must remark that the present Government has shown great diplomacy and wisdom regarding international affairs. Let us hope that good news will soon come to pass and with it a better future....something that the Maltese nation truly deserves.

Joseph Micallef

Sep 5th 2009, 12:05

The thing is that we here are trying to speculate what happend while the authorites just dismissed this case with a "We investigated, found nothing - so don't worry" attitude!

Emanuel Bartolo

Sep 5th 2009, 11:20

Could someone check the sewer system, because, in my opinion that's where the smell seems to be coming from. Yesterday afternoon, here in Mosta the smell was quiet alarming

Rocco Cauchi

Sep 5th 2009, 09:59

Another guess - what about the fires in Greece with CO and CO2 going right up to high levels in the air and dropping in freefall patches over Europe?
The pure nature of these gases or their mixture with other hanging gases, and perhaps also the high content of humidity (60-80%) which is after all H2O, may all be contributing to this putrid smell. It really means there is a chemical reaction going on in the hot/cool air over our heads.
The remoteness of the effect of such incidents reminds us of what happened in the Chernobyl disaster 20 years ago when central Europe, and possibly Malta, were hit by radioactive material.

David Dandria

Sep 5th 2009, 09:56

Interesting quote from the Wikipedia article on Mathyl Mercaptan:

"Milan incident
In 2004, an exhausted methanethiol canister used by a natural gas distributor was being returned to a supplier for refilling. The canister sprang a leak while in transit at a road deliveries company in Sesto San Giovanni, a town just north of Milan, Italy. Gas was carried by winds across the eastern half of the city of Milan, causing residents as far as 12 kilometers from the canister to make thousands of calls that overwhelmed emergency services for four hours, and risked hiding actual gas leaks."

Uncanny similarity!

lgalea

Sep 5th 2009, 09:49

Joseph Micallef
SO what? Europe is still STINKING.

Joseph Micallef

Sep 5th 2009, 09:33

@ Edward Grech - the articles you reproduce are not related - the smell over New York was of maple syrup and not foul. I repeat check the date of the articles as well.

Joseph Micallef

Sep 5th 2009, 09:31

@ L.Galea - that was more than a year ago - read the date of the articles!

lgalea

Sep 5th 2009, 09:25

Joseph Micallef
I don't think so. The europe stinks like hell so much so that they were even smelling it in the UK and now that winds have been blowing our way we are smelling it.

Joseph Micallef

Sep 5th 2009, 09:21

@ Sander Depasquale and Ludwig Flask - the gas would have been odourless unless added with mercaptan - so I don't believe your theory holds!

C.Scerri

Sep 5th 2009, 08:53

methyl mercaptan, has a very strong smell and even a small amount (a couple of cc's) can be smelt from metres away. Seeing that there have been so many "sightings" in all over Malta, and considering that even if the major gas depository of Enemalta had sprouted a leak, this would not have caused the smell to travel throughout Malta, and given the fact that no reports have arrived from Gozo, chas anyone thought that it might be a prank - someone pouring some mercaptan (or a similar compound) in streets in these localities?

Joseph Micallef

Sep 5th 2009, 08:48

@L.Galea and Mr. Tabone - the Euro Whiff article you are referring to was written in April 2008! That's a bit outdated don't you think?

Joseph Micallef

Sep 5th 2009, 08:41

Re Euro Whiff. I have read the article in the BBC website and the smell is mostly described as a foul smell of a decaying dead animal, or of manure, rather than gas though Methane gas is slightly mentioned as well. I don't really believe Euro Whiff and the smell in Malta are related.

Sander Depasquale

Sep 5th 2009, 08:40

@ Ludwig Flask

Very good argument! Prosit! Where does the smell come from? Many people have smelt it...
Or perhaps there was a spell and many people turned crazy two days ago

J.Barbara

Sep 5th 2009, 08:26

It was also smelt in Mater Dei. Gaseous smell and like something burning. Coincidentally there was a fire drill in progress - it must have helped the simulation!

A.Sciberras

Sep 5th 2009, 08:19

I think you should contact wasteserve to check Maghtab for gas leaks.

Joseph Schembri

Sep 5th 2009, 08:15

I was the only commentator below to correctly identify the smell as methyl mercaptan or as it should be correctly called: Ethane diol. I also said that it is used by Eenemalta as an odourirser in bottled gas. Now Eenemalta tells us that mercaptan was deposited. We are not told where this was deposited and how this was done. News flash for enemalta *methyl - mercaptan has a boiling point of 35 degrees celcius. Temepereture in the shade these days 32 degrees celcius* This means that this liquid was boiling if exposed to ambient conditions!

R. Caruana

Sep 5th 2009, 07:08

Anyone considered the possibility that it could come from a ship out at sea? The wind was quite breezey yesterday and a leaking ship's hold could easily have been the cause?

Dr Francis Saliba

Sep 5th 2009, 06:46

Reports mostly from the south east of Maghtab = unlikely mass hallucination or actual presence of a stench.
“ No danger to the public” = probable presene of a foul smelling gas in concentrations that are not life threatening.
No mercaptan leakage during the unloading of the mercaptan during the supervised unloading = does not exclude the source of the stench somewhere else e.g.Maghtab.
Don’t fob off the public by stating what did not cause the stench. Tell us what caused it

Ramon Casha

Sep 5th 2009, 06:10

Did Enemalta actually establish the source of this smell or not?

If not, then it's rather premature for Enemalta to declare that "there was no danger for the public". If some mercaptan was released, that's not dangerous, but if there was an actual gas leak and we haven't found where it leaked from, it could happen again at any time.

Depending what the wind direction was at the time this gas was detected, it might have originated from the direction of Rabat and carried down towards Valletta. In fact it could have come from a vessel at sea.

Edward Grech

Sep 5th 2009, 02:57

Sibt dal-artikli li forsi għandhom x’jaqsmu…
• http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/01/08/nyc.odor/index.html
• http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/nyregion/06smell.html

Andrew Debattista

Sep 5th 2009, 02:24

hehehe very funny... the problem enemalta has is that they are still making use of gas canisters that have gone over their lifespan!!! they hardly admit it but that's reality. i Own a commercial outlet that makes use enemalta gas frequently and when i had this issue, and the "technicians" came to check they just charged for the "service" and said all is fine, when it wasn't... for how long do these companies are going to play around with the people..
We are lerning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Willam Attard McCarthy

Sep 5th 2009, 01:20

http://193.188.45.245/earthquakes-list.php?from=0&range=20

According to the Seismic Monitoring Facility at the University of Malta, there were 5 tremors in the space of around 3 days on a techtonic plate just SW off Malta

Willam Attard McCarthy

Sep 5th 2009, 01:17

It is well known fact that a large volcano lies just metres below sea level between Malta and Sicily. This foul smell could be natural degassing, which happens prior to an eruption.

http://www.earth-prints.org/handle/2122/589?mode=full

http://www.citeulike.org/article/5121778

D Sultana

Sep 5th 2009, 00:12

I have smelt this odour at three different times today. At 11.00am and 2.00pm approx in Naxxar and once again at 8.15 at Ta Qali.

M. Bugeja

Sep 4th 2009, 23:49

How can a lachrymatory compound be harmless? Please check Maghtab for possible leaks-fermentation products can seep out and diffuse

Astrid Vella

Sep 4th 2009, 23:34

We've now all learnt that gas is odourless and only smells by virtue of the methyl mercaptan added to it. Still, that doesn't explain how there was such a strong smell of methyl mercaptan just off Sliema Front in the evening 2 days ago, that it smelled more than when neighbours' gas cylinders had leaked.

It does sound strange how such an unbearably-strong smell can't be traced. No wonder residents of Gharb are worried!

Colin Attard

Sep 4th 2009, 23:29

About a week ago late at night there was smell of gas in the entrance of my house in St.Venera at a strange place where there is no gas the smell was so strong that it triggered my gas alarm. No gas was ever smelt again after that day. Is there a link?

D. Camilleri

Sep 4th 2009, 23:28

@ Fred Vella,
This is a serious health issue & what does castille & politics have to do with it, you sure show yourself to be another Labourite. Hawadni ha nifmek

Alfred Cassar

Sep 4th 2009, 22:43

Hawn xi whud vera GHOGGIEBA!!!

Ludwig Flask

Sep 4th 2009, 22:24

Part 2/2

Can the MMA confirm whether there are any war ships near Malta? Was it caused by natural gas, ie crude oil? Is there any oil drilling activity around Malta (I mean at sea)? Has the seismological unit at the University of Malta registered any volcanic activity? Is there a natural time bomb under Malta? We need clear and concrete answers!

Ludwig Flask

Sep 4th 2009, 22:24

Part 1/2

Having read comments and heard about this as well, also from my wife, seems the south of Malta wasn't effected though. So questions arise, similar to pointed ones in the comments. Now the wind blew from North, thus something happened in the Northern area of Malta. Relating to the northern area, are there any landfills? Are there any gas or chemical production facilities? Are there any chemical or gas storage areas? Are recycling plants working? Is it drainage smell? What was the smell? its origin? and why eyes of some people concerned watered? Was the smell toxic? Was it a SCAM?

Albert Falzon

Sep 4th 2009, 22:20

seems we are tasting a bit of our own medicine. seems the gas smell as through out europe not only in Malta

Mr Tabone

Sep 4th 2009, 21:49

Would you all stop playing the blame game and read more into this? in other countries, the smell has also been reported occuring in other countries, even in the UK, where the BBC call it a "euro whiff" thats coming from continental europe. the small minded people that blame continental europe's aromatic phenomenon on Enemalta is hillarious!!

Antonio Olivari (WasteServ Communications Officer)

Sep 4th 2009, 21:44

WasteServ has made all necessary checks and we can assure the public that none of the facilities and sites under its control are responsible for emitting the smells mentioned in the news story above.

Joanne Muscat

Sep 4th 2009, 21:22

Even in Naxxar, I thought we had a leakage and got my husband here from work to check it out. When he found nothing wrong we thought it was coming from our neighbours.

lgalea

Sep 4th 2009, 21:16

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7354538.stm
Pong in the air is 'Euro-whiff'
Europe is stinking.

ANdrew Cachia
That's a State secret.

Joe Micallef
Do you expect the peoples representatives to remain silent just because your darling Gonzi is in (stolen) power?

S. Camilleri

Sep 4th 2009, 21:00

So Enemalta said it its alright people!! Its just a question of Mass hysteria. We're all inventing things......... By the way, the smell's picking up again. Look like we have to keep our windows closed tonight.

T Mifsud

Sep 4th 2009, 20:56

I am not an expert. However mapping the reports from below and considering the SW wind one may conclude that it should not be difficult to identify an approximate source. No smell to the north, no smell to the south, high concentration in the area bound between Rabat-Attard-Mriehel-Marsa-Valletta-Sliema-San Gwann-Mosta-Rabat. Also the chemical should be identified air analysis machines. The government should deploy all resources, including calling external help even from US and UK if necessary. They are the most equipped for chemical attacks. Although it sounds like methane, nothing should be ruled out.

A geological phenomenon do occur and should not be ignored at this point either!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nyos
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/mhalb/nyos/disaster/indexdisaster.htm

Brian Vassallo

Sep 4th 2009, 20:43

Mr Leo Brincat did well to put people on the alert. I disagree with those who said that he spoke too soon. It was his duty to ask explanations from enemalta. I live in Hamrun and there was a vomiting smell hovering across the town. Can anyone frolm enemalta please tell us what it was ? Having reassurances from enemalta that the pubblic is safe is not good enough !

Brian Vassallo
Hamrun

Anthony Mizzi

Sep 4th 2009, 20:23

THE UNEXPAINED Malta is fast becoming an island of mysteries, with mysterious black dust of “unknown” origins, now mysterious gas smells from unknown sources. What next , circles in the corn or UFO sightings? You get the feeling of living a Spielberg classic where the Government continues to keep mum on what is happening around us. What is the true state of pollution on these islands, why the high occurrences in asthma and respiratory diseases? Silence.....the mystery thickens....

A Zahra

Sep 4th 2009, 20:19

This one stinks. Now talking about the real causes at the moment I guess preparations are now full blast for the first private gas bottling and handling operations on the Island. Also someone could have excess stocks of methyl marcaptan which he now no longer needs. Who knows may be .......??????

Keith Ellul

Sep 4th 2009, 20:12

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7354538.stm

Eric Camilleri

Sep 4th 2009, 20:04

The extent of land coverage that this smell had over the large part of Malta surely cannot be attributed to any facilities under the responsibility of Enemalta. The Maghtab gas recycling plant could be plausible but yet again the area of report is too vast for this plant to disperse foul smell so avidly. I think it is worthy for the Seismilogical Department at the University of Malta to give us some feed back if such a heavy odour could be attributed to progressive seismic activity in our vicinity. Also keep an eye on animal behaviour too : http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080905025552AAxCmkR

Robert Caruana

Sep 4th 2009, 20:00

Another shameful instance of MISMANAGEMENT at ENEMALTA. A horrible summer indeed. Who knows what we will endure in the winter.

M. Zammit

Sep 4th 2009, 19:57

This is from Birkirkara. On the point of smells. Does anyone ever smell the disgusting, suffocating odors from Mghatab? Why doesn't anyone complain about them. Or the smell of burning material that stifles air and is so bad sometimes that you wake up with a headache if you sleep in that smell. Why doesn't the government do something about such matters. Why don't we all complain more? Our environment needs attention and when such subjects are raised we ought to do something about them for the common good. Residents of Balzan Valley, Balzan have to endure drainage overflow during the winter and foul smell during the summer!! Why don't they complain until something is done about them. We are not living in a third world country but we are treated like that sometimes. The government gives attention to tourist areas but we humble residents just pay taxes for other areas to be upgraded!!! The government is weak with the strong and strong with the weak! We live in a false world of luxury but at the same time lack basics.

N Frendo

Sep 4th 2009, 19:55

It could be maybe that a Gas Bowser was travelling through those towns, had a leakage and spread the smell.

Jonathan Borg

Sep 4th 2009, 19:47

@ J Brincat...why do you say he spoke too soon??

M. Zammit

Sep 4th 2009, 19:42

I personally did not smell this odour, although on various occassion there is a foul smell in Balzan Valley near the Lija/Birkirkara/Balzan roundabout which we normally attribute a fault in the drainage main. I am no scientist but to my mind the cause might be drainage odours leaking / Mghatab landfill (aren't they producing gass there?). I fail to see how it can be an Enemalta gas cylinder leakage problem. It might be fermentation of yeasts from a private plant or an attack by aliens to take over this beautiful island. What annoys me is that the government doesn't issue a statement. It's like we have no government on this island! Perhaps the aliens have already taken over Castille and we're here speculating!

ANdrew Cachia

Sep 4th 2009, 19:34

We would like to know what the smell is. Can't they understand plain simple English or is it top secret

Gerard Cassar

Sep 4th 2009, 19:22

"There was no danger for the public." This statement is repeated at least three times by Enemalta. It does not say that there was no sort of leakage but there was no danger for the public. Understand that if there was any leakage it was of no harm to people.
Breathing gas in the open air is not always dangerous unless it is has been accumulating in one place.
What we want to know is the cause of the smell and not just that it is not dangerous. And who assumes the responsibility that there is absolutely no danger for any one from the cradle to the last breath.
Since the authorities declared that there is no danger they must have discovered the source otherwise it is sheer irresponsibility to make such a declaration.
That something is not normal is evident it is this that the citizens want to know and what is it?
They seem reluctant to explain, hence more suspicions.
Unless the people are told exactly what happened there will be no resting until the truth is out.
Perhaps something did not function and the authorities would not want it to be known.

joyce aquilina

Sep 4th 2009, 19:19

no smell here in cottonera

P.Scicluna

Sep 4th 2009, 19:15

So the people are stupid!!!!!!!
we dont have a main LPG system , going through our Island, so the smell is coming from cylinders. This week we changed our pipe because the smell was too much and dangerous. This is very simple to conclude, 1) cylinders were not locked properly 2) cheap material was used while getting a high price. What is happening to this Island? Gas , Mepa and the lot and people we read these in The Times ...........

jbusuttil

Sep 4th 2009, 19:04

It seems that Mr. Leo Brincat spoke to soon. Well politicians do anything to gain political milage.

J. Busuttil

Sep 4th 2009, 19:00

If anyone passes from near the powerstation (rusty) gate at 'Il-Menqa' in Marsa you will smell the same smell every day! It's horrible having to pass from there everyday for work.

Michele Sarlo

Sep 4th 2009, 18:57

@ N Xuereb

You can never have guarantee about the 'results' that you are mentioning. You have several authorities that you can contact and ask for an explanation. An then what? If you get an answer will you be satisfied?

You can search for existing protocols and values regarding Max acceptable figures for water and air published by the EU. At least you will have an idea what are the max ranges.

Rocco Cauchi

Sep 4th 2009, 18:51

The wind direction was today SW veering during the day to WNW tomorrow morning.
Having been also smelt at Dingli, the source could be anything from Qajjenza to the drainage pipe flowing out to sea off Marsaxlokk.
The unclassified gas may be lighter than air and thus mostly felt in high-lying areas, such as Dingli and Rabat, with lesser smell-condensate layers being smelt in lower lying areas before encountering a dense hot wall of air forming over the sea, with multiplier smell effect, such as over Sliema.

jschembri

Sep 4th 2009, 18:50

They visited several towns and villages using gas detectors and the investigations established that there was no danger for the public.

Further investigations were carried out, including on a site where Mercaptan material was deposited in the morning and these also established that there was no danger.

>>>read well: they are saying there is no danger, NOT that the smell isn't an unknown cause.

Calin Debattista

Sep 4th 2009, 18:47

Can someone check if it's sulfur gas? Foul-smelling sulfur gas is one sign a volcano is waking up! @Michele Sarlo > That link does not help at all, even if you manage to understand how it works lol

Joseph Calleja

Sep 4th 2009, 18:45

Everybody is wondering where this odor is coming from? If it is all over the island somebody should go on the air or online etc and try to explain what's going on. I am sure there is a logical explanation for all of this and the authorities should be on top of it. Hopefully it will pass and everything goes back to normal but even if it passes it should be investigated...

Andrew Gatt

Sep 4th 2009, 18:44

Must have been a good year for cabbages and broad beans. No smoking until further notice, or else.........kabooom!! ;) !

Joseph Schembri

Sep 4th 2009, 18:40

The chemical name for the smell that people are complaining off is methyl mercaptan or more properly : Ethanethiol. It is listed as one of the smelliest substances on Earth and in fact the human nose can detect its presence when its concentration in the air is as low as 1 part per million. It is considered toxic but not at these low levels. In fact it is added on purpose to bottled gas which is usually odourless to make it easier for us to smell a leak.

Its presence in the air could arise from various sources. We have now to identify possible sources.

n xuereb

Sep 4th 2009, 18:38

@ Michele Sarlo.... and who is verifying that the "results" are not tampered with? How come there have been no alarm bells ringing when it is a well known fact that in some localities the air is of a very poor quality?

Michele Sarlo

Sep 4th 2009, 18:35

Maghtab area there is almost on a daily basis a foul smell. Anyone driving late at night and or early morning the smell is very strong.

I feel bad for the people that go on the coast road to walk, run or cycle. I also see regularly people swimming and fishing just under the landfill. Not very healthy.

Any reports that anyone can provide regarding soil quality, water quality and air quality?

Michele Sarlo

Sep 4th 2009, 18:32

To all asking about air quality data.

Here is the link to MEPA air monitoring page. Maybe it is helpfull

http://www.mepa.org.mt/asps/AirQualitySystem/AirQualitySystem.aspx

J Cilia

Sep 4th 2009, 18:29

Yells, bells and smells

Michele Sarlo

Sep 4th 2009, 18:29

To all asking about air quality data.

Here is the link to MEPA air monitoring page. Maybe it is helpfull

http://www.mepa.org.mt/asps/AirQualitySystem/AirQualitySystem.aspx

Jonathan Calleja

Sep 4th 2009, 18:25

No explanation given yet ! Ridiculous!!!!!!!!!

Joseph Mifsud

Sep 4th 2009, 18:23

No smell in Gozo!

N. Aquilina

Sep 4th 2009, 18:21

Well well well The English used to call us an island of bangs, bells and smells. .......LOL!

Joe Grima

Sep 4th 2009, 18:12

It's past 6 pm now and not a word from the authorities. Take your time and thanks for nothing

Joseph Schembri

Sep 4th 2009, 18:07

It must be noted that the gas that we buy in cylinders has no real smell as it is quite odourless. For safety reasons an unpleasant odour is added and its only function is to alert us to the escape of butane / propane gas.

It would be extremely odd if bottled gas was leaking all across the island so I suspect that it is the question of the smell being produced by the same or a similar organic compund that is used to add odour.

The question remains now why this substance is present in the air.

Juan Dingli

Sep 4th 2009, 18:06

At Iklin I started smelling the gas around 10:30 while I was on the roof.

Tonna J.

Sep 4th 2009, 18:05

NO SMELL IN THE SOUTH.

Joe Micallef

Sep 4th 2009, 18:00

Leo Brincat never fails to astonish me.

Besides the obvious responsibility of the authorities to explain, he simply cannot understand that online media are light years faster than any other medium everywhere. Moreover, he does not seem to understand that authorities need to explain rather than just inform whilst online media need only do the later.

No wonder PL communications is Neanderthal!

david meilak

Sep 4th 2009, 17:56

I was driving through Valletta Rd Mosta @ about 1445 and I thought it was coming from the bus in front of me but I overtook and the smell persisted. It is not right for authorities to take such a long time to clarify such a situation especially when one might worry that the gas may have been detrimental to one's health.

lgalea

Sep 4th 2009, 17:51

So the people in those areas are getting a taste of what the residents in the south get from the Sant'Antnin plant even though it is not as strong as it used to be because we used to smell it and feel a burning sensation in the throat and nasal passage from Paola.

Ray Buttigieg

Sep 4th 2009, 17:48

This is a pre budget bonanza. the gov is giving away free gas before higher utility rates are announced. Or it could be the aliens poisoning us to take over our deranged planet. worse still, it could be the start of 21st Dec 2012.....THE END OF THE WORLD

Christine Scicluna

Sep 4th 2009, 17:47

I live in Paola and there was no trace of a nasty smell of gas ... Hopefully there will be an explanation soon...

David Thake

Sep 4th 2009, 17:46

Maybe we should try and bottle some up seeing that a Gas Cylinder now costs for than 10 Euros...

James Scerri

Sep 4th 2009, 17:45

Where are we living? this is a scenario which is typically found in THIRD WORLD Countries!!

@Joseph Cauchi : I'd take that invite with joy...but only if you reserve a parking space for me! :)

J.Bonnici

Sep 4th 2009, 17:41

Could it be an indication of a forthcoming earthquake?

J.Camilleri

Sep 4th 2009, 17:40

forsi sibna z-zejt ! could it be crued oil ...

G. Mangion

Sep 4th 2009, 17:40

Why all this panic & moaning ??? After all it is free No ?
I mean Tax - Free hehe !

JB Caruana

Sep 4th 2009, 17:34

"the corporation's personnel were checking to see whether the cause of the smell was something for which it was responsible" Smells fishy....

Charles J. Buttigieg

Sep 4th 2009, 17:31

I meant Castille Square in Valletta opposite the OPM not Pastille Square.

I M Dingli

Sep 4th 2009, 17:24

Let's get high!!!

jschembri

Sep 4th 2009, 17:20

I feel like this country is really going down the drain. We have seen unbeleivable things this Summer, and today I think this mysterious smell was the cherry on the cake, but maybe even that it's not the end of it all.

j.schembri

Sep 4th 2009, 17:13

ALREADY 6 HRS PASSED BY..........................AND STILL NO EXPLANATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian Hansford

Sep 4th 2009, 17:13

Around 2pm there was a very bad smell of gas leak .
it's high time we get told the truth ! no excuses please !!

Joe Pullicino

Sep 4th 2009, 17:12

Kenneth, mela nahseb ahjar ticcekja s-Sinuses ghax huma blokkati. Riha ta' gass taqsam !!

Joseph Cauchi

Sep 4th 2009, 17:07

It seems that this foul odour has affected practically the whole of Malta!

I have been to Salina, Maghtab and Bahar ic-Caghaq and here the air is clean and clear and there are no foul smells around.

So why don’t you, the poor sufferers, come over here and enjoy the sea air!

I promise you, this sea air is very beneficial for your health!

JC.

Kenneth Psaila

Sep 4th 2009, 17:06

oqodu fir-riha... hawnhekk bla riha

Carm V Diacono

Sep 4th 2009, 17:06

Seems that the problem has affected Sliema seriously. One good advice: Take out your pots, kettles and any other kitchen utensils and start protesting like the old times of... ermmm.... how did you use to call them.... oh yes.... the old times of Darkness!

Old times? I wonder...

Albert Falzon

Sep 4th 2009, 17:02

I thought it was a motorcycle that passed in the nearby of Msida Tunnels. I have been smelling gas through this week, but when only this noisy motorcycle passes. It a bike with a very noise engine and leave a gas smell behind.

A.Scerri

Sep 4th 2009, 17:01

Naxxar was affected too. No wonder the house smelled of gas...and there I was all the time thinking it was ours or neighbours' leaking gas tanks!! Explanations please.

Mario Azzopardi

Sep 4th 2009, 16:59

Same experience here in St Juians. Was in the bedroom and a strong smell of gas could be easily smelled. Had to go in the kitchen to check if smell was coming from the kitchen. I think since this is so widespread an explanation from the authorities should be made. If possible a plausible one!

P Debono

Sep 4th 2009, 16:54

Hal Balzan riha ta drenagg is-sena kollha. hadd ghadu ma sab tarf tal-problema. l-anqas tista' tiftah tieqa.

B Merceica

Sep 4th 2009, 16:52

Sliema smells.

Andrew Cachia

Sep 4th 2009, 16:49

was having a bite in a st.julians Caff. thought the place was going to blow up especially with customers smoking on table next to mine

Gerard Cassar

Sep 4th 2009, 16:46

It could be that the Maghtab gas filtering plant that ought to produce so much electricity is instead pollutting the atmosphere. Mr. G. Pullicino should see to it and issue a press release to explain what is happening.
Writing more seriously certain people have a better smell than others, when Saint Luke's hospital was operational, and the incinerator working emitting all sorts of smells, early in the morning the air around Pieta smelt of disinfectant. Once I reported the smell to the Sanitary authorities. The person just shrugged, however he/she said something about the air was being monitored. Is it still being monitored?
It seems not or yes, and we will be having a catchy explanation of the present situation., no fear!

Marisa Bugeja

Sep 4th 2009, 16:41

Strong smell in St Julian's around 2.00pm; from the reports the location seems to be Maghtab; Enemalta would have affected southern regions-anyone from the south smelt it pl?

S.Formosa

Sep 4th 2009, 16:40

In Qormi there were instances during this Summer were we couldn't even open our windows..its like a strong smell which goes into your throat..we thought that it might be from waste since it sometimes smelt like chemicals or else other types of fumes...when we phoned the local council and told them about the problem and what can be done, they told us that we have to see from were the smell is coming!! Can one imagine going out at 2am investigating the surroundings?!!! (cause the problem was mainly in the evening and during the night!

Paul Barrett

Sep 4th 2009, 16:38

It is the smell of rubbish no-longer disposed of in used plastic carrier bags (which used to contain the smell) but now dumped in cardboard boxes.

Mark Cassar

Sep 4th 2009, 16:33

It is not sewage smell - it is more organic like - onion like smell - very strong in central Mosta this morning. Hope authorities are checking industrial estates!

CAROLINE THEUMA

Sep 4th 2009, 16:32

IN MOSTA VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS

Rebecca Sultana

Sep 4th 2009, 16:26

In Sliema and Msida the smell is of drainage and some kind of chemical...

Denise Pace

Sep 4th 2009, 16:26

Strong smell of gas in Mosta at about 11.00am and again at about 2.00pm. Nearly made me feel dizzy.

Simon Borg

Sep 4th 2009, 16:24

@Maurice, Ivan

Natural gas is odourless.. the gas in our cylinders has a smell addded to it so that leaks are detectable.

Ray Buttigieg

Sep 4th 2009, 16:23

i smell was felt also at bkara at around 14.30 -14.45. t thought it was the nieghbours..lol

christino azzopardi

Sep 4th 2009, 16:21

Mtarfa smell gas too

Lawrence Bonello

Sep 4th 2009, 16:18

Fleur-de-Lys too!! Probably its "nobody's fault"! As usual!

T. AGIUS

Sep 4th 2009, 16:16

Funny, but yesterday evening we were smelling a foul smell of drainage in Mellieha bay. Could have moved East since yesterday ......

Brian Fenech

Sep 4th 2009, 16:16

in mosta it is smelled strongly all around.

n xuereb

Sep 4th 2009, 16:14

MEPA should be monitoring the air daily. Can we see today's results please?

Noel Apap

Sep 4th 2009, 16:13

The smell is of drianage.....

Maurice Saliba

Sep 4th 2009, 16:13

l-ewwel sinjal ta meta issib iz-zejt hija outburst ta riha ta gas ... andi ikun sabu sorsa l-marsa huma ihafru ghal pompa tad-drenagg ...

Ivan Scicluna - Rabat

Sep 4th 2009, 16:13

Could it be that we are sitting on natural gas resources/wealth and not know it while still importing oil to run our Power Stations!

This reminds me of the ironic WWII story of Rommel losing the desert war because his Army ran out of fuel but was sitting on the world's largest oil fields of Libya!

Bernadette Mizzi

Sep 4th 2009, 16:10

Could it be gases coming out of Maghtab landfills.....such gases could be hazardous and like a time bomb ready to explode!!!!!

Mario K Mifsud

Sep 4th 2009, 16:09

the silence from the authorities is deafening

riha ta gas taqsam
imma min ghandu x'jaqsam?
la hadd ma jaf min fejn gejja,
jkolli nsodd imniehri b'idejja

Charles J. Buttigieg

Sep 4th 2009, 16:06

And Pastille Square,I'm serious.

Roderick Cutajar

Sep 4th 2009, 16:03

Smelt it in B'Kara, thought the whole place was about to blow up!

PM Camilleri

Sep 4th 2009, 16:01

The source could be the gas field at Maghtab!

L. Brincat

Sep 4th 2009, 15:57

The smell went into Mater Dei too!

Marcel Dingli

Sep 4th 2009, 15:55

Blocked sinuses John Borg ? There was a strong smell of gas in Sliema.

lucienne calleja

Sep 4th 2009, 15:54

Balzan too

M. Scicluna

Sep 4th 2009, 15:50

Poor people in Malta - imsieken il-Maltin. Come to Gozo it's gas free - only fresh air here.

Donald Borg

Sep 4th 2009, 15:50

I live at Rabat, we thought that the smell of gas was from our aircondition.

Jean Schaak

Sep 4th 2009, 15:49

@ Bernard Mamo

Good to know Houston is the place to call :)

Manuel Micalelf

Sep 4th 2009, 15:44

Smells are usually harmful and can be a health hazard.... can we please have some more information? No wonder that loads of peopel are dieing of cancer on this island....

john borg

Sep 4th 2009, 15:42

Could be we struck gas without much effort. At last -who knows, maybe we will be getting rich soon. Honestly I am smelling nothing in Sliema.

Bernard Mamo

Sep 4th 2009, 15:42

Houston, we have a problem... Malta has struck OIL!

C. Schembri

Sep 4th 2009, 15:41

Smelled 1hr ago in Floriana... in a building... I even told my colleages about it, and suddenly I received the sms alert!

Maria Bezzina

Sep 4th 2009, 15:36

Mosta, has an unbearable smell of gas :(

A. Zarb Adami

Sep 4th 2009, 15:36

this is a disgrace!! This might be an emergency and we were only informed through online newspapers. This shows how our government lacks the willpower to act when necessary.

patrick mifsud

Sep 4th 2009, 15:34

maybe it is coming from the mushroom cultivation in GOZO??? :)

Samwel Bezzina

Sep 4th 2009, 15:31

Mosta too.

Joe V Scerri

Sep 4th 2009, 15:29

May i then add Triq Claudette Agius in Dingli. I had the same experience yesterday late evening as I went out for a short walk

Noel Hili

Sep 4th 2009, 15:29

I Like that one Fred Vella. It's a good joke. However, we need to know from the authorities or from someone more competent, where and what the smells are derived from?

victor vella

Sep 4th 2009, 15:29

Please before we start shooting people, recently we had a strong smell of gas at our offices and we raised the alarm, the shop ownrs underneath our offices were contacted and even the Police only to find that it was a drainage fault.So please let the people in charge work on it.

Joseph M. Meli

Sep 4th 2009, 15:28

Sliema as well - Lower Depiro Street

Mario Spiteri

Sep 4th 2009, 15:28

Smelt it alos on the Rabat - Mosta road. Thought at first that the car in front of me was running on liquid gas, until I heard its engine and realised that it was a diesel engine.

Could it be a fault opened below sea level and natural gas was released?

Leli Agius

Sep 4th 2009, 15:27

I smelled it Today and Even yesterday. I am thinking it might be some gas in the fuel system of cars which is not burnt in the engine so it is expelled in the exhaust system since it's being felt all over the island. I might be totally wrong.

Isabelle Agius

Sep 4th 2009, 15:25

We had the smell even in Mriehel and we could smell it thoughout all the offices

Fred Vella

Sep 4th 2009, 15:24

It's coming from Castille... They are discussing the budget,,, :-)

Daniel C

Sep 4th 2009, 15:24

it is absolutely disgusting here!! i live on the 3rd floor of a block of flats on the edge of Mosta and i closed all my windows and doors its unbearable its coming over the fields from ta qali way im sure!!

j.schembri

Sep 4th 2009, 15:23

WELL................... SOME ANSWERS PLEASE.............. SO WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSE TO DO???? CLOSE ALL WINDOWS???

J.Borg

Sep 4th 2009, 15:22

It could be the manure being used in fields......if that is so it must be very strong!!!!!!

Edward Darmanin

Sep 4th 2009, 15:22

Mosta too! And strong. I went sniffing around the house and neighbours' houses trying to identify the source! :-)

Moira Heath

Sep 4th 2009, 15:20

Funny, I was smelling something weird in Mosta too. Now I either got used to the smell or it's gone.

E. Micallef

Sep 4th 2009, 15:19

So it isin Mosta.

Peter Tabone

Sep 4th 2009, 15:17

We had this smell even over Mosta, we had to evacuate our work premises in fear that it was gas.

Josianne Cardona Gatt

Sep 4th 2009, 15:17

Add also Mosta to the list, it happened at around 2 in the afternoon. Now it's much better here!

A.Micallef

Sep 4th 2009, 15:17

Smelt it here in Birkirkara, Swatar end, also.

Joe Grima

Sep 4th 2009, 15:14

I went round the apartment to see if someone had left a gas source open but everything was in order. It is important that the authorities report where the foul smell originated from and what measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence.

JC Mifsud

Sep 4th 2009, 15:14

You can also add San Gwann.

Paul Micallef

Sep 4th 2009, 15:14

We at San Gwann had this smell of Gas even this morning. It happened again this afternoon at around 1430. This is a very serious situation, now knowing that the smell is basically all over Malta and nobody seems to know the origin!!

Mark Vella

Sep 4th 2009, 15:11

i smelt it at Rabat, and at Mosta, and i was thinking did someone attach a gas cylinder to my car?

Lara Azzopardi

Sep 4th 2009, 15:10

The smell is extremely strong in Sliema !!

F.Attard

Sep 4th 2009, 15:09

Same here at Mriehel

jschembri

Sep 4th 2009, 15:08

We also smellt it from the offices here in St Venera, our window was just partially opened (imbexxqa)

We want an explanation.

J Spiteri

Sep 4th 2009, 15:04

@ Barbu,

Same here in Msida. Its irresistible ! Had to leave my house.

S. Barbu

Sep 4th 2009, 15:02

Glad to be reading this. I thought it was coming from the neighbours and that we were going to blow up any minute. It's really bad in St Julians, so strong it makes your eyes water.