Fifty-three years after an earthquake rattled Malta, researchers are seeking witness accounts to understand what actually happened that night.
On March 22, 1972, at around 12.10am, Malta was hit by an earthquake that caused widespread panic.
Residents ran to open spaces, tourists fled hotels, and roads were jammed with traffic as fear swept the islands.
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A Times of Malta report published the following day described the scene: “The tremor brought with it a mass evacuation of people from homes, tourists from hotels, unprecedented traffic jams – and the next day, a high level of absenteeism in factories, offices and schools.”
While the quake left no casualties and caused only minor structural damage, it made a lasting impression on those who lived through it.
Now, researchers from the Seismic Monitoring and Research Group within the University of Malta’s Department of Geosciences are asking people who experienced the event to fill in an anonymous questionnaire.
The aim is to collect detailed personal accounts that will help determine which areas were worst affected and allow researchers to construct an intensity map of the tremor.
“We would also like to understand if the decision to sleep outdoors was a spontaneous, collective reaction to fear and rumours or if it was prompted by any official instruction,” the research group said.
The project is being led by Sarah Camilleri, under the supervision of Dr Matthew Agius, a lecturer within the department.
By collecting responses, the researchers hope to compare public experience with scientific data, better understand the earthquake’s impact across different localities and preserve a piece of Malta’s seismic history.
The survey is open to anyone who was in Malta at the time. It is available online at: https://forms.gle/qmUVLdEnjdpnK7jz5
Anyone needing help to fill in the questionnaire can call 2340 6189.
All responses are anonymous and will be used solely for academic research.