Undertaker claims damages of €350,000 as coffins float away
An undertaker who lost a quantity of coffins when rainwater flooded his workshop in Qormi, said this afternoon that he estimated his losses at over €350,000.
Carmelo Mfsud said he had over 800 imported coffins in his store in Qormi, most of which were damaged.
He also had six hearses and six other cars in the store, some of which were filled by up to a metre of mud.
Some of the coffins which floated down Qormi Valley ended up as far away as the Marsa sports ground.
See video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxf4FSXWq-g&feature=player_embedded
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56 Comments
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L Poli
Oct 27th 2010, 14:52
Sounds like Dionysius crossing the river to get to Hades!
I'm sorry, but I don't understand people who live in valleys, where they know that this will be a problem every time it rains, and then they complain or victimise themselves. It's like someone who joins the military on his/her own accord, being sent to war, getting injured or dead, and then blame it on the war! Heq! I know it's not funny, but just move elsewhere if it's not safe.
M.Scicluna
Oct 27th 2010, 16:15
It's God's way of telling you that you're biting more than you can chew. Six hearses? 800 coffins? Is Al Qaeda coming to Malta? With the liberalization of their licences, funeral prices were supposed to go down, yet they didn't. It's a Cartel. So, good on ya mate! better luck next time mate!
malcolm seychell
Oct 26th 2010, 19:09
I am sorry but if he is not insured its his problem and not the tax payers problem
Hekk jonqos issa nhalsu ghall dawn l affarijiet.
Adrian Wirth
Oct 26th 2010, 18:53
@ TRW O'Neil - Thanks for the opportunity - 1. No storm drains because the Brits didn't specify them in road design specifications in the 1920's. 2. Manholes badly installed because the specification is unchanged since 1938 UK Public Works standard not changed thereafter. 3. Pavement edge drains project possibly because no one has thought of checking against manufacturers specifications. Easy route = 'that's the way they was done that's the way they will be done'. 4. A new one for you - why do manholes collapse below road surface within weeks of installation (even on Italian financed roads) ? Answer - because Brits specification in 1938 allowed Maltese soft stone wedges to be used for leveling beneath ductile iron frames before packing with sand and water plus some cement morter - ok for half tonne axle weights no good for 40 tonne axle weights. Even though testing was done in the early 1970's, with supplying manufacturer's support to rewrite method of making sub-assembly and mounting Manhole cover and frame, nothing was done to impliment the new specification because of the change of government in 1974 and the rest is history. I know because my business paid for the research.
Alan Vassallo
Oct 26th 2010, 17:05
God's way of cleaning up the roads
TRW O"Neill
Oct 26th 2010, 16:50
Why cannot the Maltese build drains? There are hundreds of roads all badly built , but at least they should have drains,where a machine can dig a culvert in no time due to soft ground.WHY also are so many Drain Grills badjy installed? often above road level, so that puddles form round them as is seen in Mosta.WHY are some grills above the kerb areas, even some in the centre of a road.Why are so many FAILED Architects surely; allowed to design roads without drains? It is not Rocket Science after all.it is 2010 not 1810. QED.
A Vella
Oct 26th 2010, 14:16
All those who have homes or garages in this valley know what are the risks of having a residence there. That is why building prices are cheaper there. And furthermore when coming to insure a home or garage or business you will be asked about the area so probably you will not even be covered for flooding since place will be situated in a valley. Therefore premises will be at you own risk.
FB Aquilina
Oct 26th 2010, 20:03
Well said Mr O Neill! I always wonder why our roads are not serviced with water culverts... look what a mess we find ourselves in every time it rains heavily!!! Shame on our road planners and the architects/engineers who design them!
marija hollyoak
Oct 26th 2010, 13:03
i would like to point some comments ...to some of you who are making fun of the situation....i live in qormi in the valley , if you would like to know what happens when it rains feel free to log in facebook with my name and see for yourself, as for ,mr andrew hili this is not a joke i already lost a car casue i live there and i cant park my car on the roof so i couldnt save my car like you are making fun off..... @dylan olliver .... if it was your buisness i dont think you would like people making fun of you .... casue he had a business store and it is not situated in the valley but still the amount of water we had in qormi was a lot .....@ lorriane vell in 2003 i lost my car by flooding and the garage next to my house just broke down with the amount of water and everything came out of it just like the guy with the coffins!!!!! did you really think that he had all those things in his store and he would leave the door open ...come on be realistic ......
Andrew Hili
Oct 26th 2010, 00:59
Suddenly everyone is an expert on insurances, acts of god, compassion for the undertaker, etc...but no one mentioned the fact that we all know what happens in that particular area when there is lots of rain, so why is the undertaker making such a big fuss for losing his merchandise to the floods?
Had I to be an insurance agency, I would either not insure anyone in these 'prone to flooding' areas or else charge a lot more than other safer places.
The floating coffin lid racing down the valley was extremely hilarious!!! LOL
C. Gravina
Oct 26th 2010, 10:54
That is what happens with insurance premiums... such high risk areas are charged more than a low risk area. Another place with a high risk factor is B'Kara which is also susceptible to the risk of flooding.
M. Spiteri
Oct 26th 2010, 14:19
Dear Andrew, the garage was not in the valley, that road flood because a van which was parked in the road got carried which the flooding and it stuck one of the main entrance to the valley. Please before you comment check the facts. Another thing is that instead of suggesting that insurances does not cover these areas, why don't you tell the mepa to stop issuing permits for buildings in such areas than??? Have you ever heard that to take a loan you have to insure the property, so than your brilliant idea not to insure these buildings is really useless my friend. Have you been your self living there or losing €350,000 in damages you will surely talk differently.
Alfred Cassar
Oct 25th 2010, 21:59
I dont know how so many people like to put so stupid comments in here. First of all the €350,000 loss was not only coffins, but also hearses and other cars.
@ Lorraine Vella
Please check before you jump to conclusions and make accusations. The metal store door was forced open by the excessive force of the water.
I dont think Mr Mifsud or anyone else in his place would be pleased of what happened to him and some comments really hurt.
For those who dont know what the water can do in Qormi during a similar storm, it's better if they do not comment.
Mario Mizzi
Oct 25th 2010, 21:53
Many comments carry no compassion for this poor guy, who probably lost his life savings. €350,000 is around LM 150,000 and not such a large sum for a business especially if even his cars & hearses have been damaged.
I am really sorry for him. However, I feel more sorry for what our small nation has become...'Heartless'
C. Gravina
Oct 25th 2010, 21:10
The only way one could claim damages done by the famous three words "Act of God" is by having a proper insurance policy in place. If there is no insurance policy in place then no one is liable for such damage, if that damage is caused by an interefering cause being the act of god. It is a stupid mentality for persons - being businessman - and having those high amounts invested in their business not to take an insurance policy to cover for such risks.
So yes it is Bad luck!!
mark camilleri
Oct 25th 2010, 20:53
considering a funeral costs €1500. a total turnover of 1.2m lost
Ronnie Gauci
Oct 25th 2010, 23:45
Imbaghad tkellimhom u qieshom qed imutu bil-guh!! Jew marru fuq xarabank darba ghax zdiedu 4 hearses riedu jitqattu, xorta jistaghnew baqu.
kevin Brincat
Oct 25th 2010, 20:21
I'm sorry for the undertaker, but this is the right spirit for HALLOWEEN......
Dylan Olliver
Oct 25th 2010, 18:27
If he could afford to buy so many coffins from abroad, and have 6 hearses, then surely he could afford insurance. If not, then tough luck Mr Mifsud !!!
R. Gauci
Oct 25th 2010, 19:26
Well said Dylan. Maltese businessmen only want to make profit on every penny they spend, other stuff, tipo insurance, payrises etc are regarded as waste of money.
c. camilleri
Oct 25th 2010, 18:07
They really make money these undertakers. Stock of 350,000 euros is not a small sum.
One hope that he was wise enough to insure his business.
c.cefai
Oct 25th 2010, 17:53
What insurance! Acts of God are not usually covered! poor chap!
Fenech MD
Oct 25th 2010, 17:40
Eur350,000 RIP
james borg
Oct 25th 2010, 17:39
hmmmmmm....I hope those coffins were insured. If so, I don't envy the undertaker's undertaker :)
gaffarena joseph
Oct 25th 2010, 17:37
I,feel sorry for that great loss,but my God,350, ,000 euros worth of coffins,is a bit out of tune. Recently in another paper there was stipulated that those poor souls that have no relatives,to pay for their funerals.,the local authorities have to pay, for a coffin,and 4 pallbearers,and a car for the priest.The cost for all this was around 70 euros.(this was a question in parlament recently asked by a member of the opposition) I, may ask,why than a normal funeral cost us around 1,600euros? I, am trying to raise this subject,because this trade have to be taken for a real public discussion. At that moment of grief,their skill in choosing a coffin,and a funeral will overpower your thinking for the beloved one that you lost, There is more to say about this subject,even the flowers that all the relatives put on graves.There are real stories that less than 24 hours,half of the flowers will all be gone and sold again. There have to be a strict law about funerals.
J.Schembri
Oct 25th 2010, 17:31
Hey guys, you know ... just a few days away from HALLOWEEN. Next time, maybe Zombies will be around too.
Bernice Vella
Oct 25th 2010, 18:01
what a coincidence my sister and i just made up a joke about a zombie following a coffin in the floods saying "come back!"
C Cassar
Oct 25th 2010, 17:23
What's the problem? Surely as an established business he has insurance cover. If not then not a very well run business.
Paul Fenech
Oct 25th 2010, 17:42
Doesn't something like this fall under the act of god clause?
Anthony Aquilina
Oct 25th 2010, 16:53
@ A Vella . im pretty sure he aint poor !
Lorraine Vella
Oct 25th 2010, 16:43
did he leave his workshop open??? and if yes, what is the reason behind this? forsi to ensure that he gets a return on his merchandise?? and who will foot the bill?? i am sure that the insurance company will look into this...as no one in his right frame of mind will leave a workshop door open in such weather.
m sciberras
Oct 25th 2010, 18:18
kulhadd lest biex iparla fil-vojt u jfajjar il-kliem bl-addocc..
A Vella
Oct 25th 2010, 16:34
Yes it is funny watching it float, but I am sure the poor undertaker is not laughing. At the end of the day this is his livelihood (no pun here). Hopefully he was adequately insured.
alex grech
Oct 25th 2010, 16:26
Pity 350,000 euros of stock down the river (drain) was this stock meant to take him till the end of the year i wonder the turn over then i wonder what taxes are meant to be paid think about it ..............
R.Lewis
Oct 25th 2010, 15:44
That coffin in the video must be the first yacht to make it from the middle sea race, its going faster then the P1 powerboats.
A. Schembri
Oct 25th 2010, 16:25
Thinking about it, should the coffin floated past a speed camera, who should have footed the bill? It looks like the coffins were over speeding.
V Borg
Oct 25th 2010, 15:43
Lets hope the wreckages get collected out of sight and not left to rot in the vallies...
M Cassar
Oct 25th 2010, 15:26
Only in Malta msomma!!! God forbid you're driving and you see a floating coffin passing by you!!!
victor pulis
Oct 25th 2010, 17:43
Even worse...overtaking you!!
R Borg
Oct 25th 2010, 15:20
I cannot understand how the coffins made their way out of a locked garage?? Anyone can shed some light?
Malta's new attraction is White-water coffing (wheather permitting)
M. Spiteri
Oct 26th 2010, 14:22
did u see the level of the water there??? maybe it was opened by the force of the water?? you should think about it than you will maybe be enlightened. Should you have been there you would have seen this with you own eyes.
And to some people who are saying the €350,000 was just losses of the coffins, please note that this also includes damages to the 12 cars the guy had in the garage. Basta kulhadd iparla u milli jidher naqraw nofsa l- ahbar.
Edward Zammit
Oct 25th 2010, 15:18
I hope that he had two golden Dracmas for every coffin that got carried off !!!! LOL ( If he did he could claim them as well )
charles micallef
Oct 25th 2010, 15:12
hadd wara hadd jasal ta kullhadd lol
R Grixti
Oct 25th 2010, 14:47
"Carmelo Mfsud said he had over 800 imported coffins in his store in Qormi..."
Did he stock up in preparation of last year's pandemic??
Joseph Galea
Oct 25th 2010, 15:33
They were prepared and stocked for the end of the world in 2012.
RMangion
Oct 25th 2010, 15:39
Do you know how much work he has ? no ... so what's the point of your comment ? People die all the time, and well its not like there are hundreds of undertakers. I am sure that the QORMI area etc... use this particular undertaker.
Anyways. I am not related to this guy, or even live in that area. I just found your comment to make no sense
B. Zammit
Oct 25th 2010, 16:03
Around 8 people die every day in Malta and Gozo. Even if has a monopoly, 800 coffins is equivalent to 100 days stock. Gives dead stock a new meaning.
Bernice Vella
Oct 25th 2010, 18:07
i understand that for you it seems silly to have that much stock when you sell coffins but then again, how would u feel if you were told by an undertaker that the funeral of your loved one would have to wait because the coffin you want is out of stock and has to be ordered? people die all the time and its good to have a stock pile of whatever you sell if not coffins then something else besides could it be that he saw them from other countries and decided to order them? perhaps he thought to act quickly before they ran out!
G.Dalli
Oct 25th 2010, 14:42
can i claim the damage done by the rain that filled my classroom to my handouts, files, workbooks, copybooks and resoures too???
a. taliana
Oct 25th 2010, 18:16
Check your insurance policy
John Grech
Oct 25th 2010, 14:37
Well I guess you could say...
*Puts on glasses*
He'll be six figures under.
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Miguel Sant
Oct 25th 2010, 15:03
Too much CSI haha
j Salerno
Nov 6th 2010, 06:59
good one
luciano busuttil
Oct 25th 2010, 14:29
Crossing the river Styx?? where is the ferryman? :)
P.Borg
Oct 25th 2010, 14:25
...Requiem for a coffin.....
I guess the coffin was overspeeding.... thank god no wardens where on sight !!! LOL
jmicallef
Oct 25th 2010, 14:22
Looks like a Viking funeral.