The space frame arch that collapsed on to the stage. Photo: Police

A 48-year-old worker from Fgura was in critical condition after a metal structure supporting the roof of the MFCC in Ta’ Qali collapsed on him. Two other men were slightly injured.

The freak incident happened at around 10.50am yesterday when preparations were in full swing for next weekend’s performances of the rock opera Ġensna at the indoor arena.

Witnesses told Times of Malta that a circular space frame directly above the rear of the stage, which acts as permanent support for the canvas roof, started tilting forward for no apparent reason.

Instinctively, workers started shouting to their colleagues to seek cover.

The man in critical condition is an employee of RVC Lighting, while a 31-year-old from Cospicua and a 25-year-old from Fgura – both working for Nexos Lighting – suffered slight injuries.

Ġensna organisers expressed solidarity with the injured workers. They said the permanent structure had the dual function of supporting the canvas roof and holding lights and other stage equipment.

The frame started tilting forward for no apparent reason

Sources said the damage runs into thousands of euros. Apart from the light fittings affixed to the arch, a large screen in front of it was also destroyed. Doubts were raised about whether the rock opera would go ahead, but a spokesman for the organisers said they were determined to stick to the plan.

He said moving the event to the Mediterranean Conference Centre was not an option.

“We cannot fit an audience of some 9,000 people there,” he said, adding an announcement would be made in due course.

Apart from a magisterial inquiry, members of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority were also called on site.

Workers could not understand what had caused the structure to fall, saying that its load had been much lighter than on other recent occasions.

On the other hand they said the consequences could have been much worse had the incident occurred during a live performance in the arena, which can seat up to 10,000.