THE TRAGEDIES OF 2023 All those who lost their lives

In the year 2023, Malta found itself grappling with a series of tragedies that have left communities shattered and hearts heavy.

This year there was a startling surge in accidents involving individuals falling from buildings or ladders, and perilous drownings at sea. There were a total of nine fatal accidents where somebody fell, and 10 incidents where people died after finding themselves in difficulty at sea. A double murder in October has also left the country shocked.

Here is a timeline tribute for all those who tragically lost their lives in 2023

10 FEBRUARY: Man dies after heavy object falls on him

A 77-year-old English man, who resided in Xaghra, died after a heavy object fell on his head when he was on the roof. The accident occurred at around 5pm and the man was taken to Gozo Hospital for treatment but died soon after. Malta and Gozo had been hit by a huge storm on the day.

10 FEBRUARY: Man falls at sea, limits of Valletta

A man, who has been identified as a 42-year-old Finnish man, was reportedly seen falling into the sea at the limits of St Elmo in Valletta at around 2.15pm. The search for the man was being conducted by the police and the Armed Forces of Malta, which had to be suspended due to bad weather. There are no reports of the man being found.

19 FEBRUARY: Woman dies after falling five storeys

A 23-year-old Polish woman died after falling five storeys from a balcony in Triq is-Simar, St Paul’s Bay. She was taken to Mater Dei Hospital but was soon after certified as having lost her life. The police had said that the autopsy found that there was no involvement of third parties, with the victim dying from the fall.

28 FEBRUARY: Man falls to his death in Tarxien

A 76-year-old man died after falling one storey off the roof of his residence onto the roof of an adjacent property, which consequently caved in with the impact, resulting into the man falling another storey. The accident occurred in Tarxien, and the man was taken to hospital, where he died sometime later.

13 MARCH: Woman dies after three-storey fall

A 43-year-old woman died after falling a height of three storeys off the roof of her residence. The accident occurred at around 9.30am in Triq Willie Attard in Hamrun. The woman was taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance but was certified dead soon after.

23 MARCH: Man dies after suffering injuries while using mechanical plough

A 69-year-old man died after he was injured while using a mechanical plough. The accident happened in a field at Fomm irRih, limits of Mgarr. Civil protection officers and a medical team went on site after a call for assistance at 3.15pm. The man was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital, but was certified dead sometime later.

26 MARCH: French man dies in Gozo jet ski accident

A 27-year-old French man died in a jet ski accident in Hondoq irRummien, limits of Qala, at 1.30pm. The man was on the jet ski with a French woman, aged 25, when the two fell off and needed assistance. The man, who was unconscious when lifted out of the water, was taken to Gozo Hospital where he died sometime later.

7 APRIL: Man dies from fall near Portomaso marina

A 24-year-old Columbian man, who resided at St Paul’s Bay, died from a fall close to the Portomaso Marina at around 6.15am. A medical team and Civil Protection Department officials went on site and the man was taken to Mater Dei Hospital, however he lost his life.

8 APRIL: Man dies after falling down flight of stairs

A 62-year-old man was critically injured after falling down the stairs of a residence in Mellieha while carrying some objects. The accident took place in Pietru Pawl Caruana Street at 10.15am. The man was taken to Mater Dei Hospital with serious injuries, where he died sometime later.

20 MAY: One woman dies, three others saved from rough seas

A 43-year-old Filipino woman died after finding herself in difficulty in rough seas at Fond Ghadir, Sliema. Three other women, all foreigners, were also carried out at sea, but made it ashore on their own. The woman was located after a search was mounted and was taken to Mater Dei Hospital in a serious condition, where she died sometime later.

4 JUNE: Diver dies near Manoel Island

A 44-year-old man from Russia died after finding himself in difficulty near Manoel Island, off Gzira. The accident happened at around 5.30pm, and the diver

was taken to shore by people who were with him.

16 JUNE: Man dies while diving in Gozo

A 67-year-old diver from Germany died while he was diving in Xatt l-Ahmar, Ghajnsielem, Gozo. The man was taken on land by other bathers in the vicinity after having found himself in difficulty. Medical assistance was provided but the man was certified dead on site.

22 JUNE: Elderly man dies while working on a car in Gudja

A 77-year-old man died after he got stuck under a car he was working on in a private garage when it fell on him. The incident happened at around 2.30pm in Triq Raymond Caruana, Gudja. Members of the Civil Protection Department were called on site, along with a medical team to assist the man, who was certified dead on site.

5 JULY: Diver dies in Cirkewwa incident

A 50-year-old man from Israel died after finding himself in difficulty while diving at Cirkewwa.

He was taken ashore by the people with him, and was taken to hospital, where he died sometime later.

15 JULY: Elderly woman injured in fall dies in hospital

A 72-year-old woman who was seriously injured when she fell down the stairs in a residence in Qormi a week prior, died at Mater Dei Hospital. The accident took place in Valletta Road at 10.30pm.

17 JULY: Syrian man injured in construction site fall dies in hospital

26-year-old Syrian, identified as Mohammed Kasem Hashem Alkhateeb, who resided in Cospicua, died in hospital after suffering critical injuries in a one-storey fall on a construction site. The accident happened in Alessandro Curmi Street, Rabat at 5pm.

20 JULY: Man dies after falling three-storeys in Fgura

A 48-year-old man, identified as Yousef Borda, an AFM member, died after falling from a three-storey height when he tried to climb down onto the balcony of his property in Fgura from the roof as he had found himself locked out. Police were informed of the accident at 1.45pm at Triq il-Karmelitani, and a medical team was called, but the man was certified dead on site.

4 AUGUST: Man dies in Gozo factory accident

A 50-year-old man from Nadur died after he had just gotten out of a skip loader he was driving, when the truck moved backwards, pinning the man between it and the wall behind. The accident happened at around 7pm in a factory in Xewkija, Gozo. The man was identified as Loreto Zerafa, and was certified dead on site.

14 AUGUST: Woman dies after finding difficulty at sea

A 70-year-old woman from Birkirkara lost her life after finding herself in difficulty while she was swimming in St Paul’s Bay. The accident occurred near Wignacourt Tower in St Paul’s Bay, where police received a report for assistance at 10am. The woman was certified dead on site.

27 AUGUST: Man dies after finding difficulty while swimming in Qui Si Sana

A man, whose identity was later revealed as having been a 43-year-old Palestinian, died after finding himself in difficulty at sea while swimming in Qui si Sana bay, Sliema. The man was brought to shore by people in the vicinity and was given first aid by a medical team. An ambulance took him to Mater Dei Hospital where the man was certified as dead soon after.

4 SEPTEMBER: Man dies in private swimming pool

A 70-year-old English man died after he found himself in difficulty while swimming in a private pool. The accident took place at 7pm in a residence in Main Road, Zurrieq. The man was found dead in the pool.

17 SEPTEMBER: Firefighter dies after grass fire in Pembroke

48-year-old firefighter and father of two, Joseph Zammit, died after developing health issues soon after a waste fire was extinguished in Pembroke that evening. Zammit developed medical problems resulting in his losing consciousness after the CPD was summoned to control and extinguish a grass fire ignited around St Andrew’s due to waste dumped in the area.

Zammit was in serious condition when taken to hospital after being given first aid on site by other CPD members, but was pronounced dead soon after arrival.

21 SEPTEMBER: Woman dies after finding difficulties while swimming in Marsascala

A 71-year-old woman from Zejtun died after finding difficulties while swimming at St Thomas Bay in Marsascala. The accident happened at around 1pm. The woman was assisted by people close by and members of the Red Cross before being taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where she was certified as dead soon after.

10 OCTOBER: Man dies after finding himself in difficulty at sea

An 80-year-old man from Zejtun died after he found himself in difficulty while swimming at St Thomas Bay, Marsascala. He was certified dead on site.

15 OCTOBER: Two people murdered in Marsa

On 15 October, 73-year-old Joseph Bartolo and 56-year-old Carmen Abela were found murdered in a stables in Marsa. The female victim was on the phone with a 112 operator when she was killed, a court had been told. Marsa resident Iddirisu Faisal, 34, from Ghana was charged with the murders. Faisal pleaded not guilty to the charges.

2 NOVEMBER: Worker who was seriously injured in Freeport accident dies in hospital

58-year-old Raymond Mifsud from Marsascala who was injured in an accident at the Freeport on 20 October, succumbed to his injuries on 2 November, dying in hospital. The truck Mifsud was driving collided with another vehicle while carrying out operations on a container ship. The collision occurred at 1.30am at the Freeport.

28 NOVEMBER: Man dies after falling off ladder

71-year-old Frans Scicluna, who resided in Dingli, died after falling a height of one storey off a ladder in a private garage. The accident took place in Misrah isSuffara in Dingli at 11.30am. He was certified dead on site.