AD leader: ‘Muscat ignored geologist’s Azure Window study’

Alternattiva Demokratika chair Arnold Cassola has partially pinned the blame on Joseph Muscat for the tragic collapse of the Azure Window. 

The iconic natural arch in Dwejra collapsed into the sea today after years of  erosion, and the government has insisted that its destruction was inevitable.

However, Cassola questioned why Prime Minister Joseph Muscat did not take immediate action to safeguard the Window in the wake of a study carried out by geologist Peter Gatt in 2013.

The report, the conclusions of which were seen by MaltaToday, said that while erosion and eventual collapse was inevitable, it was not in imminent danger of falling.

It recommended the installation of crack meters to monitor the cracks in the surface with measurements taken on a monthly basis. He also proposed placing geohazard warning signs under and around the Azure Window, nominating the Window for UNESCO heritage status, declaring the entire area a geopark.  

Gatt had also analyzed the possibility of installing large rock bolts to secure the entire arch or small rock bolts at the edge of the rock prone to rock fall. However, it concluded that there was insufficient stable rock for large rock bolts to adhere to in order to support the arch. It also warned that the installation of small rock bolts would prove dangerous due to the precarious location of the blocks.

“Muscat, who was warned in 2013 by geologist Peter Gatt to take immediate action on Dwejra did f…all,” Cassola said in a Facebook post. “Now he says that this is heartbreaking. Wasn’t it also heartbreaking when you gave Zonqor to Sadeen and St George’s Bay to Silvio Debono?

“When the caves at Tigne give way in 50 years time, I suppose you will tweet to say how heartbreaking that was.”

In a separate Facebook post, Cassola said that “our great political leaders came up with empty warnings that they will introduce strict measures, but nothing was don”.

“[Environment minister] Jose Herrera then announced a €1,500 fine for trespassers and the deployment of ecological wardens, but nothing was done. I suppose the wardens will start working tomorrow.

“Stay tweeting your shock and horror, Joseph. In the meantime, tired and fed up, the Azure Window has sent all us humans to piss off.”