Three residential blocks of Binja Buqana at Mtarfa have been found to be in dire need of urgent structural repairs due to serious safety risks posed to residents and passers-by, Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia told Parliament last night.

Residents had asked their architects to draw up reports highlighting the dangers. This was in stark contrast to the verdicts of the architects who had been responsible for the blocks’ construction, who had always said there were no problems.

Experts had noted various structural problems and decided to run a series of tests that started last Saturday.

Dr Farrugia said that in some cases, areas of roof concrete had been prodded and pieces up to a metre square had fallen. Other problems included beams which had not been properly covered with concrete and suffered the effects of humidity.

The police had been asked to cordon off the area because even parts of balconies were falling onto the street below.

Test results were expected by mid-January.

Talks were under way to determine legal responsibility, Dr Farrugia added.