Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545920
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 JULY 2026 NEWS Elderly cyclist grievously injured after collision with Mercedes A 71-year-old cyclist was grievously injured after a collision with a car on Tues- day morning. The accident happened at around 9:15am in Triq Ħal Qormi, Luqa. Preliminary investigations suggest that a collision oc- curred between the cyclist and a Mercedes driven by a 24-year-old Naxxar resident. The victim was aided by a medical team before he was taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance. Police investigations are still ongoing. Malta-flagged oil tanker attacked by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz A Greek-owned oil tanker fly- ing the Maltese flag was "sub- ject to an attack", while nav- igating the Strait of Hormuz, Malta's Sustainable Mobility Ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry, which is re- sponsible for maritime trans- port, said it is "closely moni- toring the security incident" involving the Malta-flagged oil tanker M/T Kavomaleas. The tanker was navigating the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, close to the Omani coast. Tension in the region has re- turned with the US bombing Iranian infrastructure for sev- eral days and Iran retaliating by bombing US bases in the region and disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. "According to the informa- tion currently available to the Maltese authorities, all 23 crew members have been safely res- cued by the Omani authorities and there have been no re- ported casualties," the minis- try said, adding it remained in close contact with the relevant authorities and the vessel's management and representa- tives. The statement said Malta's Merchant Shipping Directorate and the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Malta), were "ac- tively engaged" since the first notification of the incident, with the relevant authorities. The Kavomaleas was the sec- ond Greek vessel to be hit by projectiles as they transited the waterway after Iran's Islam- ic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed two tankers "exploded" while taking what Tehran called an unsafe south- ern route. Operated by Greek shipping firm Dynacom, Kavomaleas, is a Panamax-sized tanker. Ac- cording to the company, the ship was struck by two projec- tiles, causing a fire in its engine room. "After deploying the shipboard fire suppression sys- tem, the master made the deci- sion to evacuate the vessel," the company said in a statement. Meanwhile, Malta's Minister for Sustainable Mobility Chris Bonett welcomed the confir- mation that all crew members were brought safely ashore and expressed his appreciation to the Omani authorities for their swift and professional re- sponse. He reiterated Malta's com- mitment to the safety and se- curity of international shipping and to the protection of those serving at sea. Malta's Sustainable Mobility Ministry closely monitoring 'security incident' near Oman, involving Greek-owned Malta-f lagged oil tanker • Crew abandoned ship after fire broke out on board KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt Location provide by UKMTO of where the Malta-flagged oil tanker was struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz Kevin Francica appointed new head of Wild Birds Regulation Unit THE Gozo Ministry announced the appointment of Kevin Franci- ca as the new head of the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU). In a statement issued on Tues- day, the ministry highlighted Francica's 36 years of experience in the public service, as well as his knowledge of the hunting and trapping sector. The WBRU is responsible for regulating hunting and trapping, implementing government poli- cy, ensuring compliance with na- tional and international law, and coordinating with relevant stake- holders. Francica began his ca- reer at the Customs Department in 1998 and has since held several leadership positions across gov- ernment entities. These include director responsible for interna- tional affairs, policy development and implementation at the Cus- toms Department, director-gen- eral at the Health Ministry, and director-general at the Malta Tax and Customs Administration. In his new role, Francica will lead efforts to improve the WB- RU's administrative efficiency and address the sector's priori- ties, including strengthening its legislative framework and re- search programmes. The ministry thanked former WBRU head Richard Lia for his work and service over the years and wished Francica success in his new role. EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt Kevin Francica has 36 years of experience in the public service along with extensive knowledge of the hunting and trapping sector