In December of last year, the Kordin building collapse tragedy sent shockwaves through the construction industry and the nation as a whole. The loss of lives and property prompted a comprehensive magisterial inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster. The findings have been released by the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Magistrate paints a distressing picture of incompetence, negligence, and forgery that led to the catastrophic event.
According to the published Magisterial Inquiry – these are some points that come out:
- Lack of Knowledge and Mismanagement
One of the most significant revelations from the inquiry was the lack of knowledge and expertise among the workers involved in the construction project. The workers hired for the job were ill-equipped to handle the complexities of the task, and there was an absence of proper management and control. This lack of oversight resulted in numerous deficiencies that ultimately led to the tragic collapse.
- Forged Signatures and Responsibility Denials
John Muscat, who was designated as a licensed builder, shockingly denied his responsibility for the site. Investigations revealed that the signature on the documents pertaining to his role was forged by someone else, namely Matthew Schembri. This deceitful act left the construction site without anyone with the necessary skills and understanding to oversee the project effectively.
- Untracked Access to the Site
On the day of the collapse, confusion prevailed regarding who was present at the site. No record was kept of the individuals entering and exiting the premises, making it difficult to ascertain who was responsible for certain actions or oversights that may have contributed to the tragedy.
- Unqualified Workers and Unseen Architect
Gentjan Carku, one of the builders on-site, admitted that he had no training or specific qualifications in construction. The presence of unskilled labor further compounded the issues plaguing the project. Witnesses also testified that they never saw any women on the construction site, and the project’s architect, Adriana Zammit, never visited the site according to their accounts.
- Architect’s Reliance on Communication Channels
The architect, Adriana Zammit, seemingly relied heavily on a WhatsApp chat group to communicate with Matthew Schembri and Kurt Buhagiar, acting as intermediaries between her and the workers. This lack of direct contact with the workers and contractor may have hindered effective oversight and communication throughout the construction process. Jean Paul Sofia took some of these photos.
- Inadequate Site Manager
Matthew Schembri was designated as the “Site Manager,” but it became evident that he lacked the necessary technical qualifications for this role. The absence of a qualified site manager contributed to the overall confusion and disorganisation on the construction site.
- Expert’s Grim Assessment
The expert hired by the court, after analysing the testimonies of witnesses, lamented the state of confusion and dilettantism prevalent in the construction industry. The lack of seriousness and awareness of the dangers associated with construction work was evident in the tragic events that unfolded.
- The Core Cause: Structural Design Failure
The magisterial inquiry identified the primary reason behind the building collapse: the flawed structural design. The design failed to consider vital aspects of stability and resilience against potential collapse. It was revealed that Adriana Zammit, the architect in charge of the project, neglected to perform the necessary calculations. The absence of a licensed builder further contributed to these grave oversights, and they went unnoticed until it was too late.
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