The enforcement of mandatory technical inspections are essential to preventing the recurring industrial fires that threaten public health and safety across the Maltese islands, the Chamber of Engineers said Monday.
Following a significant scrapyard fire last week, the Chamber of Engineers has voiced alarm over a systemic failure in how high-risk industrial sites are regulated and monitored. This latest blaze marks the third major incident of its kind in only six months, trailing similar fires in November 2025, and signals a dangerous pattern of neglect.
Beyond the immediate danger of the flames, these recurring incidents release toxic fumes and fallout particles that cause long-term damage to the health of surrounding communities. The Chamber argued that the current regulatory environment is insufficient, calling for an immediate overhaul of licensing requirements and operational standards. Rather than relying on the bravery of emergency responders after a disaster has already begun, the Chamber insisted that prevention must be hard-wired into the system through rigorous engineering risk assessments.
To mitigate these hazards, the Chamber said it is proposing that all high-risk facilities be subject to mandatory annual fire risk assessments and documented technical inspections. These inspections must be signed off by a warranted engineer to verify that electrical installations, the storage of flammable fluids, and fire-safety systems meet established safety standards. Without this level of expert oversight and reinforced monitoring by national authorities, the Chamber warned that non-compliance will continue to go unchecked.
While expressing deep appreciation for the swift work of the Civil Protection Department and other emergency services, the Chamber of Engineers maintained that professional engineering input is the only way to move from reactive crisis management to proactive public protection. Without a robust regulatory framework that mandates the sign-off of a warranted professional, Malta’s industrial safety remains a ticking time bomb, proving that when it comes to public safety, you cannot simply play with fire, the chamber said.
