A head-on collision between a public transport bus and a delivery truck in Mosta has sent seven people to hospital, with both drivers now fighting for their lives in critical condition. The crash, which unfolded around midday on Triq ta' Żejfa near the Mount St Joseph retreat home, triggered a chain reaction that swept up three additional vehicles and left debris scattered across one of the town's key thoroughfares.
Why This Matters
• Two 49-year-old drivers—one operating the King Long bus, the other an Isuzu delivery truck—are in serious condition at Mater Dei Hospital following the impact.
• Five bus passengers sustained minor injuries and required hospitalization, though drivers of the three other cars involved walked away unharmed.
• Triq ta' Żejfa was closed for hours as emergency crews cleared wreckage and worked to free the trapped bus driver, disrupting local traffic.
• A magisterial inquiry has been launched under Magistrate Monica Borg Galea, signaling the severity of the incident and the need for accountability.
What Happened on the Ground
The initial collision occurred when the bus and truck met head-on along Triq ta' Żejfa, a route that feeds into Triq il-Missjunarji Maltin. Witnesses reported the force of the impact sent the bus—still carrying passengers—rolling backward down the road. It struck a Peugeot 2008, a Mercedes E220D, and a Maruti 800 in quick succession before finally slamming into a traffic barrier and coming to rest on the pavement.
The Civil Protection Department was among the first responders, deploying specialized equipment to extricate the bus driver from the wreckage. Medical teams worked on-site to stabilize both drivers before transporting them to Mater Dei Hospital. The five injured passengers, described as walking wounded, were also taken for treatment and evaluation.
Emergency services cordoned off the area as debris from the collision littered the roadway, making it impassable for several hours. Police began documenting the scene immediately, and the inquiry was formalized by late afternoon.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the collision remains undetermined as Malta Police continue their investigation, working in tandem with the magisterial inquiry to piece together the sequence of events. Factors such as speed, road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and driver error are all likely under scrutiny, though no official findings have been released.
The involvement of five separate vehicles means investigators will need to carefully analyze impact patterns, skid marks, and vehicle data to reconstruct the crash accurately.
Impact on Mosta Residents
For those who live or commute through Mosta, the closure of Triq ta' Żejfa caused significant delays, forcing drivers to reroute through already congested side streets. Residents should expect continued traffic disruptions as police complete their on-site investigation and road crews assess whether the barrier that stopped the bus requires replacement.
Hospital Status and Next Steps
Mater Dei Hospital has confirmed that the two drivers remain in serious condition, though no further details on their prognosis have been made public. The five bus passengers treated for minor injuries are expected to recover fully. The drivers of the Peugeot 2008, Mercedes E220D, and Maruti 800 were uninjured, though their vehicles sustained varying degrees of damage.
The appointment of Magistrate Monica Borg Galea to lead the inquiry signals that this case will be treated with full seriousness. Magisterial inquiries in Malta are standard procedure for serious accidents involving multiple injuries. Police have not ruled out charges pending the outcome of their investigation.
Residents and commuters in Mosta are urged to exercise caution on surrounding roads and to follow any detour signage as authorities work to restore normal traffic flow.
