Tributes Pour In For Late 24 Year Old Gauri Kumari Baral

Jan 13 2025

Gauri Kumari Baral, a 24-year-old woman, tragically passed away on Saturday morning after being struck by a pick-up truck earlier in the week.

She had been receiving treatment in intensive care at Mater Dei Hospital.

Baral, who arrived in Malta in December 2022 to work in the catering industry, is survived by her mother and two brothers.

The incident occurred on Hompesch Street when a 20-year-old driver hit Baral and a 34-year-old woman, the latter suffering serious injuries.

The Non-Resident Nepali Association of Malta paid tribute to Baral and is now organising an online fundraiser to repatriate her body to Nepal, raising €5,343 as of time of writing.

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Firefighters Respond to Industrial Blaze in St. Venera

Jan 12 2025

Early this morning, Civil Protection Malta (CPM) firefighters from Fire Stations 2, 4, and 11 were dispatched to tackle an industrial fire in St. Venera.

The operation was a coordinated effort, with CPM extending their gratitude to The Malta Police Force, Enemalta plc, and the Mater Dei Hospital Emergency Department for their support. The collaboration ensured the situation was managed efficiently and safely.

No further details about the fire or any potential damages have been released at this time.

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Żejtun Bids Farewell To Its Last Traditional Barber

Jan 12 2025

Louis Cassar, Żejtun’s last traditional barber, has passed away at 73, ending a 61-year legacy in the trade.

Known for his cheerful personality and storytelling, Cassar ran his barbershop near the Żejtun Police Station, a place where locals gathered for haircuts and conversation.

Starting at 13, he worked alongside his father and later continued the business alone after his father passed away and he inherited the trade.

His shop, with its vintage wooden benches and old barbering tools, became a beloved community spot. Despite being well past retirement age, Cassar remained dedicated to his work, famously stating he would close his shop only upon his death.

His passing marks the end of an era for Żejtun and Louis Cassar will be remembered not just for his craft, but for his role in the town’s social life.

Rest in peace, Louis. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

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538 Hedgehogs Rescued in 2024 as Wildlife Rescue Reports Record Year

Jan 12 2025

Wildlife Rescue Team Malta rescued 538 hedgehogs in 2024, making them the most commonly aided species during a record-breaking year for the NGO. Announcing the statistics on social media, the organisation revealed it responded to 824 calls for animals in distress—a 124-call increase from 2023.

While hedgehogs accounted for 65% of all cases, other species also required significant attention. The NGO received 78 calls for bats, 60 each for chameleons and snakes, and 46 for sea turtles. Hundreds of additional calls concerning non-native animals were redirected to the appropriate authorities.

The Northern and Northern Harbour districts accounted for over half of all rescue calls, highlighting regional hotspots for wildlife assistance.

Rehabilitation efforts were intensive, with animals spending a combined total of 22,405 days in care. As of December 2024, 32 animals remained under rehabilitation, including 24 hedgehogs and eight sea turtles. Despite releasing 47% of rescued animals back into the wild, severe injuries led to a 42% fatality rate, particularly among bats and chameleons.

The NGO thanked the public for reporting animals in need and expressed gratitude to its volunteers for their unwavering dedication to conservation efforts.

#MaltaDaily