Stations of the Civil Protection Department are to be upgraded in order to become seismic proof, Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia has told the 36th General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission, meeting in Valletta.

He said that the stations were not yet resistant to a large magnitude earthquake.

"The complete renovation of the Civil Protection stations and the strengthening of the department’s assets will see the island further equipped and prepared for such occurrence," he told the meeting.

He said the Civil Protection Department regularly trained with the AFM in case of such natural disasters, and there was ongoing collaboration with NGOs. Malta was also working closely with Italy. 

He observed that Malta had one relatively large seismological movement more than a century ago and a few smaller ones since. 

Guest speakers for the opening ceremony included President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the president of the European Seismological Commission Prof Ina Cecic, the Rector of the University of Malta Prof Alfred J. Vella, the head of the Department of Geosciences Prof Pauline Galea, the secretary-general European Seismological Commission Prof Stefano Parolai and chair of the Local Organising Committee Dr Sebastino D’Amico.