Police investigation, internal inquiries launched into distribution centre explosion

Police investigations and Enemalta inquiries have been launched into an explosion at the Marsa distribution centre that occurred on Tuesday evening.

The Enemalta inquiries must identify the cause of the explosion at the distribution centre and the supply disruption, assess the damages caused and identify any measures that may need to be implemented to avoid similar incidents in the future.

In the latest update issued by Enemalta late on Tuesday night, the state energy provider said electricity supply was restored to all areas in Malta and Gozo, except for areas connected to the distribution centre at Marsa, where works are still underway.

Supply was restored to almost all localities by 0130hrs early on Wednesday morning (today). Enemalta workers are currently carrying out emergency repair works to re-energise the sections of the grid supplied by the distribution centre at Marsa. These include parts of the following localities; Birzebbugia, Corradino, Floriana, Hal Farrug, Luqa, Marsa, Qormi, Siggiewi, Tarxien, Valletta and Zebbug.  

The initial outage was caused on Tuesday evening at 1950hrs by a fault at one of the generating units at the Delimara Power Station and an explosion in part of an electricity distribution centre at the Marsa Industrial Estate. 

No one was injured in the explosion. Police, Civil Protection Department and Enemalta Fire Section personnel, along with other Enemalta workers extinguished the flames and contained the risk of further damages to the equipment at this installation.

"Enemalta would like to thank all its employees, the Police, the Civil Protection Department and employees and officials from several other entities who worked throughout the night to respond to this emergency and restore electricity supply in the shortest time possible. It would also like to thank its customers and the general public for their support following this incident," Enemalta said.

"Enemalta regrets any inconvenience caused and reiterates its commitment to the continued investment in its generation and distribution systems to increase flexibility and minimise the risk of similar disruptions."

For further assistance, customers are encouraged to contact the Enemalta Customer Care team on 8007 2224 or [email protected]. Further details about Enemalta are available on www.enemalta.com.mt.