Updated 1256
Police Officer Seriously Injured in Ta’ Giorni Shooting
A police officer was seriously injured in a shooting at a construction site in Ta’ Giorni on Friday morning following an apparent dispute. According to preliminary reports, two men approached the site and allegedly set fire beneath construction workers. One suspect fled on a motorbike but was later arrested, while the other remained at the scene.
Police responding to the incident came under gunfire, with one officer shot in the face and neck and reported to be in a very serious condition. A second officer also sustained injuries. The armed suspect remained at the site as negotiators attempted to secure his surrender, while marksmen were deployed on nearby rooftops. Construction workers described scenes of panic after the fire was lit beneath them. Roads in the area were closed, with motorists urged to avoid the vicinity as the operation continued. (Times of Malta / Maltatoday)
Updated 1220
Malta Records Highest Human Trafficking Victims in Seven Years: Malta recorded 22 victims of human trafficking in 2025, matching the highest annual figure registered over the past seven years, according to data published by the National Statistics Office. The figure was almost double the 13 victims recorded in 2024 and brings the total number of victims identified between 2019 and 2025 to 88. Women from non-EU countries were the most affected group, with 21 of last year’s victims being third-country nationals. Overall, 16 women and six men were identified as victims, including one minor. The majority of cases involved sexual exploitation and forced labour, with 16 victims last year linked to sexual exploitation. The figures also highlight a gender divide among perpetrators. Four people were convicted of human trafficking in 2025, including three Maltese nationals. Since 2019, 15 people have been convicted, with Maltese nationals accounting for eight of those convictions. (Times of Malta)
EU Approves €931,000 Advance for Malta’s Storm Harry Recovery: The European Commission has approved an advance payment of €931,014 to Malta from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support recovery efforts following the damage caused by Storm Harry earlier this year. The funding forms part of a wider €103.6 million package allocated to Malta, Portugal and Spain after severe storms struck the three countries during January and February. The Commission said the advance payments follow a positive technical assessment confirming that all three applications met the fund’s eligibility criteria. Storm Harry battered Malta between January 19 and 21, causing flooding, coastal damage and widespread disruption to transport. Public infrastructure, ports, fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural assets and local communities were among those affected. The Commission will now submit a proposal covering the applications to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Should it receive final approval, Malta could receive additional financial assistance at a later stage, subject to the availability of EU budgetary resources. (TVM News)
Malta to Deport Tourists Fined €200 or More for Public Order Offences: Visitors to Malta who do not reside in the country and are issued on-the-spot fines totalling at least €200 could be removed from the country before the end of their holiday under new rules announced by Interior and National Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield. The minister said a new legal notice gives the Principal Immigration Officer the authority to revoke a visitor’s permission to remain in Malta if, after assessing the circumstances, they determine that the person’s presence is contrary to public order, public safety or the public interest. Bedingfield stressed that deportation will not be automatic. Those affected will have one working day to appeal the decision before the competent tribunal. “We cannot and will not accept that a small number of people abuse our hospitality, behave irresponsibly and disturb public order,” the minister said. He emphasised that Malta would remain an open and welcoming destination for visitors who respect the country’s laws and local communities. However, he added that anyone who breaks the law or poses a threat to public safety should face immediate consequences. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Valletta power restored after 30-hour blackout as Enemalta cites record demand
Electricity has been restored to Valletta after a power outage lasting more than 30 hours disrupted businesses, public services and court proceedings across the capital. Enemalta said engineers completed what it described as a “delicate” and “complex” repair to two underground cables supplying parts of the city, while teams remain on site to deal with isolated outages elsewhere. The blackout forced several businesses to close, interrupted proceedings in the Yorgen Fenech trial and led to the temporary closure of MUŻA. Some retailers were left unable to serve customers as the prolonged disruption continued into a second day. Enemalta Executive Chairperson Ryan Fava attributed the faults to unprecedented electricity demand driven by consecutive days of extreme heat. Peak demand reached a record 741MW, placing significant pressure on parts of the distribution network. He said areas where reinforcement works have already been completed performed well, while investment in upgrading the national electricity network will continue. (Times of Malta)
Massive Gżira fire extinguished after 18-hour operation
Firefighters brought a major blaze at an ironmongery shop in Gżira under control after an extensive operation lasting around 18 hours, with crews remaining on site overnight to eliminate any risk of the fire reigniting. The Civil Protection Department said 55 firefighters and 15 fire appliances were deployed during one of its largest operations in recent months. Crews used around 175,000 litres of water and 10,000 litres of firefighting foam to tackle the fire, which affected both the ground-floor retail outlet and the basement storage area. The wide range of materials stored inside the premises created particularly difficult conditions for emergency responders. Eight fire engines, an aerial ladder and a foam tender formed part of the initial response before cooling operations continued through the night. No injuries were reported. Police officers, detention services personnel and a medical team from Mater Dei Hospital also assisted. The Civil Protection Department thanked all responding agencies for their professionalism throughout the incident. (Maltatoday)
EU approves €931,000 advance for Malta’s Storm Harry recovery
The European Commission has approved an advance payment of €931,014 to Malta from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support recovery efforts following the damage caused by Storm Harry earlier this year. The funding forms part of a wider €103.6 million package allocated to Malta, Portugal and Spain after severe storms struck the three countries during January and February. The Commission said the advance payments follow a positive technical assessment confirming that all three applications met the fund’s eligibility criteria. Storm Harry battered Malta between January 19 and 21, causing flooding, coastal damage and widespread disruption to transport. Public infrastructure, ports, fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural assets and local communities were among those affected. The Commission will now submit a proposal covering the applications to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Should it receive final approval, Malta could receive additional financial assistance at a later stage, subject to the availability of EU budgetary resources. (The Malta Independent)
