Another earthquake hits Turkey as rescuers battle freezing temperatures

Feb 7 2023

A 5.8-magnitude quake struck central Turkey early Tuesday, while a winter storm with freezing temperatures is hampering rescue efforts.

This is yet another in a series of earthquakes which have devastated Turkey and Syria, killing over 5,000 people and injuring tens of thousands more.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that up to 23 million people, including 1.4 million children, could be affected by the disaster.

Many residents have been left homeless and without food or shelter, and hospitals are struggling to provide adequate care for the injured.

The death toll in Turkey has risen to 4,300, with 20,534 people injured. The WHO fears that the toll could reach as high as 20,000 as search and rescue efforts continue.

The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has deployed over 13,740 search and rescue personnel, and is working to provide essential aid to the affected regions. Temperatures in the quake-hit areas are expected to drop further in the coming days, making the situation even more dire.

#MaltaDaily

Civil Protection Malta share images of earthquake debris in Turkey

Feb 7 2023

The Maltese Civil Protection Malta team sent to help the victims of the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake has just shared the first few images of the damage caused by the devastating tectonic calamity.

The images show the destruction, currently engulfed by below zero snowy weather as people attempt to help and provide the necessary aid to all those impacted by the earthquake. Latest figures indicate that the death toll has risen to at least 4,300.

The team reached Malatya today after leaving early last night, following a brief meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, who paid their respects for the team as they embark on this dangerous mission to help millions.

Their presence in Turkey will not only make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the disaster, but it will also serve to make a good name for Malta.

The Civil Protection workers are trained professionals who are equipped to handle any situation that may arise. They are able to provide essential support in the search and rescue of injured persons, ensuring that they receive the care and attention they need.

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14,933 criminal offences reported in Malta in 2022

Feb 7 2023

If one were to exclude the anomalous COVID 2020 figures, the criminal offences rate was the lowest the figure has ever been in 2022 in the past decade.

According to CrimeMalta Observatory’s Annual Crime Review, 14,933 criminal offences were reported in 2022. This translates into a 5.4% decrease when compared to 2021.

In 2004, there were 45 criminal offences per 1000 persons. 2012 registered a decrease, with 37 criminal offences reported per the same amount. 2022, meanwhile, saw 28 criminal offences per 1000 people.

A statement by the government said that this was the lowest crime rate registered in 15 years. Despite there being years with lower numbers off crime reports within that 15 year period, the crime rate takes the population numbers into account.

Given that Malta now has a higher population, this translates into a lower crime rate, the Malta Independent reported.

When addressing a press conference, Professor Saviour Formosa said that projections had predicted over 20,000 offences for last year. This did not materialise, giving the credit to the work being done by law enforcement authorities.

Murders committed between 2018 and 2022 all saw alleged perpetrators arraigned in court. The rate of homicide remained stable at 1.7% for every 100,000 between 2004 and 2022.

1,562 cases of fraud were reported in 2022, a 34% decrease from 2021. Meanwhile, drug related crimes returned to the average seen before 2020. This means it decreased by 393 cases in 2022 after an increase of 435 between 2020 and 2021.

Violent crimes decreased when compared to 2012 as well, with 361 cases registered in 2022 when compared to 391 cases in 2012.

Cases of arson decreased by 73% when compared to 2004. Theft rose in 2022 by 134 reports when compared to 2021. When compared to 2012, the number decreased by 47%. 4,612 cases of theft were reported in 2022.

There was an increase in bodily harm crimes, wherein 847 cases were registered in 2022 at a 14% increase when compared to 2021’s 742 cases.

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1,830 domestic violence reports filed in 2022 in Malta

Feb 7 2023

According to CrimeMalta Observatory’s Annual Crime Review, there were 1,830 cases of domestic violence reported in 2022 locally.

Domestic violence and theft were among the prevalent crimes which increased last year when compared to the previous year.

2021 saw 1,741 domestic violence cases, meaning that 2022 saw an increase of about 5%. The numbers had skyrocketed when compared to other years, such as 2012 which saw 1,028 cases or 2004’s 450 cases.

Despite the worrying increase, the rate of high reports of domestic violence indicates, according to authorities, that more people are feeling safe enough to speak up against their aggressors.

The statistics were provided by Professor Saviour Formosa during a press conference.

This also comes as the compilation of evidence against Roderick Cassar, the man accused of killing his estranged wife Bernice Cassar, continues. Bernice was revealed to have filed various reports against her husband but no direct action had been taken before she was murdered.

#MaltaDaily