UPDATED: Building collapses in Mellieħa, woman rescued from under the rubble

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A four-storey building collapsed in Main Street, Mellieħa on Saturday near the former Shoppers Supermarket where construction is taking place next door.

The Malta Indpendent reports that an eldery woman who was trapped beneath the rubble was rescued by personnel from the Civil Protection Department. The woman was in part of the building that was still standing.

The woman has now been taken to Mater Dei Hospital.

Searches are now being carried out with the use of dogs and a drone in case other people are trapped.

The Times reports that Police eventually verified that a woman and child who were feared trapped under the debris were at Malta International Airport at the time the building collapsed.

MaltaToday said that emergency forces are on site, with neighbouring buildings having been evacuated.

Update: Entities and organisations involved in the construction industry will be summoned by the Prime Minister during the week to identify measures which had to continue to be taken to make the sector safer, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Saturday.

Speaking after the collapse of a building in Mellieħa next to a construction site earlier in the day, the Prime Minister said clear responsibilities had to be carried in such cases. (The Times of Malta)

The government said it has already intervened by offering assistance to the victims. It will continue to follow up and assist those involved in every possible way.

The government added it is in the process of setting up a new Malta Construction and Building authority with the main objectives of consolidating whilst updating the legislation related to the building and construction industry. (The Malta Independent)