The Mediterranean holiday island of Malta has been plunged into chaos after a sudden and violent storm unleashed torrents of hail and ice over the weekend. The extreme weather transformed streets into frozen rivers, trapping vehicles and prompting a major emergency response.
Scenes of Chaos and Emergency Response
Dramatic video footage captured the astonishing aftermath, showing cars completely submerged under thick layers of hailstones. Rivers of accumulated ice cascaded through urban areas, resembling a winter scene more than a typical Mediterranean landscape. The western regions of Rabat and Bahrija were the worst hit, receiving several centimetres of hail in a remarkably short period.
Authorities mobilised rapidly to tackle the crisis. Diggers and emergency crews worked tirelessly to shovel enormous heaps of ice off major roads and tarmac surfaces, striving to restore access and clear the dangerous conditions.
Official Warnings and Public Safety Advice
As the country braced for further severe weather, the Maltese Civil Protection Department issued a stark warning on Sunday evening. They alerted the public to expect gale-force winds and outlined critical safety measures to be followed for the subsequent 12 hours.
The public was strongly advised to avoid any work at heights, including on rooftops, balconies, scaffolding, and other exposed structures. Coastal areas were deemed particularly hazardous. The warning explicitly stated: "Stay away from the shoreline, breakwaters, and coastal paths," due to risks from powerful waves and sea spray.
Residents and visitors were urged to monitor official channels closely for further updates. On Saturday, prior to the worst of the storm, motorists had already been told to exercise extreme caution on affected roads and to avoid any non-essential travel.
A Recurring Mediterranean Phenomenon
This is not an isolated incident for the region. In May of last year, the Spanish island of Majorca was struck by a similar freak hailstorm. Tourist resorts like Porto Cristo saw idyllic beaches turn from golden sand to white ice in minutes, with flood waters overrunning popular areas.
Municipalities including Manacor, Sant Llorenç, and Sa Pobla were severely affected. Spain's state weather service, AEMET, reported that Manacor was drenched by up to 50 litres of rainfall per square metre in just thirty minutes, triggering flash floods.
Meteorologists often attribute these rare but destructive events to a weather pattern known in Spain as 'DANA' (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos). This occurs when a pocket of cold air breaks away from the Atlantic jet stream and settles over the warmer air of the Mediterranean. The intense clash of temperatures creates extreme instability, leading to sudden, violent outbursts of hail, torrential rain, and flooding.
