GasanMamo Insurance Agency has won more than €26,000 in damages after Vodafone Malta installed an antenna on an office block and failed to protect it from lightning.

The insurance company took the communications giant to court in November 2002 claiming that as a direct result of Vodafone’s negligence it suffered damages after lightning hit the antenna on top of Millenia Centre in Marsa.

GasanMamo said that Vodafone, which had an office in the block, failed to install a lightning protection earthing on the antenna.

Lightning struck on February 2, 2002 and electrical and telephone systems throughout the building were damaged, to the detriment of the various business tenants.

During the proceedings, Vodafone officials including the networks manager pleaded that the system was earthed and surge rectors were also installed for lightning protection and there had never been any problems.

On the day of the incident, the base station switched to battery operation and when technicians went on site, they found that the fuses of the circuit breaker were blown. Repairs were made and all functioned well.

It was confirmed, however, that there was no lightning rod.

Mr Justice Joseph Azzopardi said that although the Vodafone system had been earthed in the normal way there was no specific lightning protection system.

Since the company had opted to take this risk, it had to bear the consequences, the court said, ordering damages to be paid.