Preliminary investigations into the collapse of a historic wall at San Anton Palace suggest the structure was unable to withstand the pressure exerted by rainwater seeping from the top, the Times of Malta  has learnt.

Ironically, recent restoration work could be to blame as it seems that a number of mortar cracks that served as weep holes were sealed, thus blocking the water’s exit, sources told the Times of Malta.

Costing €103,000, the restoration project commissioned by the Culture Ministry under the supervision of the Restorations Directorate, was completed last summer. The 17th century wall, which is about half a metre thick, came crashing down in the early hours of last Wednesday during a storm.

Though the damage was very extensive, leaving a 50-metre-long stretch reduced to rubble, nobody was injured.

In a short statement, the Office of the President said a magisterial inquiry had been launched and that San Anton Gardens would remain temporarily closed. Subsequently, the remaining parts of the wall were reinforced by large concrete blocks at the side and emergency work carried out to seal the ruptured parts of the wall with a cement-like substance to limit rainwater from seeping into its interior and, so, cause further damage.

The incident raised eyebrows as it happened within a few months since the completion of the restoration job.

The Times of Malta contacted V&M Turnkey Limited, which had been awarded the contract following a public call issued last year by the Culture Ministry.

However, the company declined to comment saying it could not pronounce itself on the matter in view of the ongoing magisterial inquiry.

It transpires that four bidders had joined the race for the restoration contract. Though the ministry had estimated the job to cost €134,000, the winning bid was the cheapest at €103,076.11.

Fingers were immediately pointed at the company handling the job but sources told the Times of Malta the Restoration Directorate had questions to answer.

Sources said all phases of the work were supposedly done in line with a method statement approved by the directorate. Consequently, the decision to seal all the open mortar joints and, possibly, other open cracks in the wall was taken with the approval of the contracting authority, that is, the Ministry of Culture.

Questions sent last week to the Restorations Directorate were not answered at the time of writing.