Updated | Stalled operations at Freeport over gale force warnings

The Malta Freeport stopped its operations on Saturday 8pm. It will not resume its functions today, it said, following what the MET office in Malta said was the worst storm Malta had seen. 

The Malta International Airport reports that flights are progressing as usual with the exception of one Catania flight which was cancelled. 

The Gozo Channel is still operating as usual despite the gale force winds. No distruptions have been reported there so far. 

With regards to the Catamaran, ferrying passengers from Malta to Sicily, this has been cancelled for the time being. 

Mater Dei is yet to report any injuries due to the storm. 

Further cancellations: the Nationalist Party annual meeting postponed to next Wednesday, and the Labour Party's political activity in Pieta'. Both party leaders will conduct a telephone interview on NET FM and ONE Radio respectively. 

Transport Minister Ian Borg and Public Cleansing Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista surveying damage caused by the storm

Transport Minister Ian Borg and Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleansing Deo Debattista were up early this morning as they visited areas around and close to Attard to survey damage inflicted by last night's storm. 

"The officials and employees of Civil Protection Malta, Clean Malta - Cleansing and Maintenance Division, and Transport Malta amongst others worked hard to perform a number of important tasks, including removing obstacles on the roads caused by the storm," Borg told MaltaToday. 

Borg thanked the officials and employees and together with Debattista and Infrastructure Malta met with several workers on the road in the early hours of this morning to thank them and survey extensive damages. 

"It's important that we listen to the guidance of the relevant authorities for our safety at this time," Borg said.