Ħaġar Qim temples reopen today after wind damage repairs

Ħaġar Qim temples will reopen to the public today after remedial works were carried out on the protective shelter that was damaged in the gale force winds of February 18.

Two huge panels in the shelter protecting the temples from the elements were ripped apart from the wireframe securing the perimeter.

When contacted, Heritage Malta chairman Joe Said explained yesterday the structure had now been stabilised and the protective shelter should be repaired within a month.

Asked about the cost involved to repair the shelter, which formed part of a €4.6 million EU funded project, Mr Said insisted “cost may not even come into it at all”.

Following the incident, Heritage Malta launched an investigation to establish whether the protective covers were built to withstand the gale force winds, not uncommon between January and March.

Engineers from the Italian company that won the international tender to build the shelters flew in from Milan to examine the damage.