Plans for seriously high buildings should raise questions about the safety of these proposed constructions. How well, or badly, would our high-rise buildings resist an earthquake on the scale that took place here in 1693, wrecking part of the Mdina Cathedral, or something similar to the earthquake which devastated Messina in 1908, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths?
To resist collapse in an earthquake, tall buildings need specially engineered foundations. Who is responsible for this in Malta? Apparently, it’s claimed we couldn’t even get right the concrete strength for a two-storey building at Mater Dei Hospital, even with a Swedish construction company supposedly overseeing the works.
Who is guaranteeing the safety of high-rise construction methods in Malta? Are insurers happy covering these buildings against earthquake damage risk?