Extensive cracks in the concrete ceiling of Mater Dei Hospital’s car park were discovered this week, further exposing weak structures that will send compensation claims rocketing.

The Sunday Times of Malta is informed that Arup, a multinational engineering firm, was finalising its survey over the past few days when it came across the cracks in the staff car park.

This forms part of the government’s preparations to quantify the costs of defective workmanship – expected to surpass €30m – as it prepares to embark on a legal battle against Skanska, the Swedish company that built the hospital.

The government has promised to fight “tooth and nail” to reclaim taxpayers’ money, accusing Skanska of fraud for its vitiated tests on the quality of concrete used during the hospital’s construction. Skanska is refuting these claims.