Accident Victim Airlifted To Mater Dei: At Risk Of Dying

Oct 25 2023

Today, at around 0730hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed in Triq ir-Repubblika, Rabat, Gozo.

Police convened immediately on site and preliminary investigations showed that a 63 year old resident of Żebbuġ, Gozo had been hit by a Citroen Berlingo driven by a 31 year old man resident of Rabat, Gozo.

The 63 year old man was given preliminary aid and was taken to Gozo General Hospital, where he was certified as having suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Mater Dei Hospital with a helicopter for further medical assistance.

An inquiry has been opened and investigations are ongoing.

#MaltaDaily

6 To Be Charged With Involuntary Homicide Of Carmelo Fino

Oct 25 2023

Four security officers, a caregiver, and a nurse are set to face charges in court for the involuntary homicide of Carmelo Fino, who went missing from St Vincent de Paul home last year.

The accused employees, who were summoned to appear in court in July 2024, will be charged with both involuntary homicide and causing harm to Fino.

After the elderly resident’s disappearance, they were put on suspension with half pay as per the instructions of the Public Service Commission. Fino, aged 83, had left the care home during the night on June 28, 2022, and tragically, he was discovered deceased a few weeks later.

CCTV footage revealed his movements towards the main gate and the guard room, ultimately exiting. Hospital regulations mandate the closure of the main gate between 11 pm and 7 am, but the footage indicated that it was left open for most of that night.

The six individuals facing charges were suspended following an inquiry that found they allegedly failed to adhere to established procedures. Nurse Rhys Xuereb requested a fresh investigation into the case and was subsequently reinstated in a different capacity.

Retired judge Geoffrey Valenzia’s inquiry determined that the security officers left the main gate unattended and open, while the caregivers and nurse failed to provide a handover confirming routine checks on residents throughout the night.

Their negligence in promptly reporting the disappearance led to confusion and allowed Fino to wander far from the facility. The inquiry emphasized that this incident occurred due to the neglect of fundamental practices in the care of vulnerable and elderly individuals.

#MaltaDaily

UBER Is Now Offering Hot Air Balloon Rides In Turkey

Oct 25 2023

Uber is venturing beyond ride-hailing in Turkey’s Cappadocia region by offering hot air balloon rides, aiming to diversify its services.

Available until November 19, this experience can be booked with a 12-hour advance notice through the Uber Reserve feature, costing 150 euros (approximately $159).

This fee covers a 1.5-hour sunrise balloon ride over Cappadocia’s captivating volcanic landscapes. Known for its ancient sites and unique terrain, Cappadocia drew about 10% of Turkey’s 44.6 million foreign tourists in 2022.

Uber reported a surge of over 30% in international trips to Turkey in 2023, with nearly 26 million people accessing the app this year. This initiative aligns with Uber’s broader strategy to evolve into an all-encompassing platform for everyday needs, as articulated by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in 2019.

This move follows Uber’s other non-ride offerings, such as Uber Boat rides along the Thames River and in Mykonos, tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka and India, and helicopter rides in New York.

In May, the company also introduced the capability to book flights for UK users. Despite reporting a 14% increase in second-quarter revenues to $9.2 billion in 2023, Uber’s stock value remains below its peak in 2021. The company also began displaying ads in its app across major US markets starting in June. Uber has not yet responded to requests for comment after regular business hours.

#MaltaDaily

A Deadly Storm Hit Malta 44 Years Ago, Killing 4 Persons

Oct 25 2023

44 years ago today, on the 25th of October 1979, what was possibly the biggest storm to ever hit the Maltese islands struck and took the lives of 4 persons.

The anniversary of the deadly tempest was commemorated by It-Temp Madwarna, recounting how about 200mm+ of rainfall flooded the island, most notably the central areas of Malta.

‘Of those worst hit was Ħal Qormi, where to this day a road next to Wied is-Sewda was named after this deadly event in Maltese history.

Apart from four people losing their lives, the flooding killed at least one horse In Birkirkara, with Qormi residents reporting seeing cows attempting to swim in the flooding.

Rescues were also conducted, with around 30 people, including a pregnant woman, having been trapped at the Marsa sports ground being saved by the Armed Forces of Malta.

#MaltaDaily