Three blocks of Binja Buqana at Mtarfa have been found to be in dire need of urgent structural works as serious safety problems are being posed to residents and passers-by, Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said in Parliament this evening.

He said residents who had bought their dwellings asked their architects to make various 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 eventually seen 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 had fallen. Other problems included beams which had not been properly covered with concrete and fallen victim to effects of humidity.

Tests had continued and other problems had surfaced. The police had been asked to cordone off the area because even parts of balconies were falling onto the street below. Tests had also been carried out in the basement areas and would be completed by Friday, with samples of the concrete being taken for testing.

Dr Farrugia said that initially the experts had suggested emergency protection with nets to stop concrete falling.

Test results were expected by mid-January, but in the meantime it was also being seen what emergency steps could be taken. The test results would lead to urgent decisions on strengthening or changing.

As to who would be held responsible, Dr Farrugia said talks were currently under way to determine legal responsibility for the situation in view of the years that had passed.

The minister was replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Carmelo Abela.