12 Times Malta Made Global Headlines For the Weirdest Reasons
Despite its small size, Malta has caught the world’s attention more than once, and not always for the reasons you might expect. From strange sightings to celebrity visits, here are 12 surprising times Malta made international news for the most unusual reasons.
1. Tomatoes Exploded on a Plane
In 2022, a shipment of Maltese tomatoes burst open mid-flight due to sudden pressure changes in the cargo hold. Although no one was hurt, the clean-up made headlines across aviation news sites.
2. An Octopus Predicted World Cup Results
A Maltese aquarium gained attention in 2018 for its very own “psychic octopus”, who correctly guessed the outcomes of several World Cup matches. The idea followed the famous Paul the Octopus from Germany.
3. Cruise Ship Drifted in Valletta’s Grand Harbour
Strong winds in 2016 caused a large cruise ship to lose control while docking in Valletta. The drifting vessel had to be rescued by tugboats in full view of stunned tourists and locals.
4. Church Bells Rang for 20 Minutes Without Stopping
One morning, a church in Malta began ringing its bells and would not stop. The cause? A faulty timer. Locals thought a major feast had begun, only to find out it was an electrical issue.
5. Brad Pitt Filmed in Gozo … and Fans Tried Everything to Get Closer
While filming By the Sea in 2015, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed in Gozo. Curious fans swam across bays, climbed cliffs and camped nearby, hoping for a glimpse. The scenes attracted media attention across Europe.
6. Tourist Mistook Hot Compost for a Volcano
A visitor called emergency services after spotting steam rising from rocks in the countryside. Fearing volcanic activity, they reported it. It turned out to be compost that was simply overheating in the sun.
7. Queen Elizabeth II Called Malta Her “Second Home”
In 2015, Queen Elizabeth spoke fondly of her years living in Malta during her early marriage to Prince Philip. Her comments appeared in news stories worldwide, showing the island’s importance in royal history.
8. Malta Nearly Sent a Singing Nun to Eurovision
In 1971, Sister Mary Azzopardi took part in Malta’s national Eurovision selection. Although she did not win, the idea of a singing nun caused a media stir across Europe and remains a quirky part of local music history.
9. Seagull Landed on a Reporter’s Head During a Live Interview
During a live TV broadcast in Sliema, a seagull landed directly on the journalist’s head. The clip went viral and was featured on international news and entertainment programmes.
10. Dinosaur Bone Turned Out to Be a Rock
A beachgoer in Gozo believed they had found a fossilised dinosaur bone. The discovery was sent to experts, who confirmed it was just a strangely shaped rock. The story however still made local and international headlines.
11. Village Festa Cancelled Because of Wind
One summer, a local festa had to be cancelled at the last minute because strong winds made fireworks unsafe. Although rescheduled, the rare cancellation drew national and international attention.
12. Man in Full Armour Tried to Enter Fort St Elmo
A Maltese history enthusiast dressed as a knight and attempted to enter Fort St Elmo after hours. Security stopped him, but his explanation, “I just wanted to feel like I belonged”, was still picked up by newspapers abroad.
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