No one was injured in an explosion at around noon at the Malta BioPark, where excavation works are being carried out.

Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks said that following initial investigations by the various parties, including one led by the CPD-appointed expert, it is believed that the incident occurred when the excavator was taking out material from the site and possibly hit a sump full of waste in which gas had accumulated, with a small explosion taking place when the debris was removed.

All health and safety measures, including the erection of protective hoarding around the site, had been implemented and were in place at the time of the incident.

All site activity was immediately shut down and remained so until the authorities gave the all clear.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority, the police, the Civil Protection Department and the Bomb Disposal Unit were all involved in the investigations, while ME, MIP Ltd and the contractor, together with their health and safety personnel, worked together with the authorities to solve this matter as soon as possible.

ME and MIP thanked all those involved for their work and for ascertaining that no danger remained on site as a consequence of the incident.