Government withholds information on the localities of heat-related deaths

Momentum submitted a Freedom of Information request on 27 July seeking anonymised information on heat-related deaths and hospital admissions, including the localities involved. The request was made to determine whether there is a correlation between heat-related deaths and localities that experienced prolonged power cuts during the extreme heatwave.

On 13 August, the Ministry for Health confirmed that 20 deaths recorded between 20 and 26 July, at the peak of the heatwave, were directly or indirectly related to heat. However, the Ministry did not provide any information on the localities where these deaths occurred. This was during the same period when Malta experienced widespread and prolonged power cuts.

Momentum specifically requested anonymised information about the locations from where the deceased were last before being admitted to hospital.

Despite this, last Friday, 21st August, the Chief Medical Officer refused the request, stating that the information is publicly available or will be published within three months.

Graziella Spiteri, an executive member of Momentum, said, “Instead of the government playing with words on whether the information is available or not or maybe in the future, the government has a duty to be transparent about the public health impact of the heat and the prolonged power cuts had on its citizens.” 

Momentum is also asking the Government to provide an update on the promised compensation for households affected by the prolonged power interruptions, including how many households have received compensation to date and how much has been paid.

[email protected] Fri 21 Aug, 10:29 

Request/Complaint Not Accepted

(Freedom of Information Act, Cap. 496)

Date: 21-08-2026

Ref No: 260383

With reference to your request/complaint dated 27/07/2026 received by Department of Health – Chief Medical Officer, we regret to inform you that your request cannot be met because:

the document requested is publicly available or will be published within three months / id-dokument mitlub hu aċċessibbli għall-pubbliku jew se jkun ippubblikat fi żmien tliet xhur.

If you disagree with this decision, you may seek review through the Public Authority’s Complaints Procedure. If such review has been availed of and you disagree with the outcome, you may seek investigation and review by the Information and Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with article 23 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Regards

Department of Health – Chief Medical Officer

Description of Request

Dear Freedom of Information Officer, Freedom of Information Request with regard to hospital admissions and deaths during July 2026 I am writing to request access to information under the Freedom of Information Act (Cap. 496 of the Laws of Malta). I request access to data held by the Ministry for Health and related Active Ageing and the Public Health Directorate relating to hospital admissions and deaths recorded during July 2026. In particular, I request the following information:

– The number of hospital admissions during July 2026 that were related to extreme heat conditions, together with the localities of the persons affected, provided in a manner that does not disclose any personal identifying information. – The daily number of deaths recorded during July 2026.

– The number of deaths reported as sudden, unexpected or unattended during July 2026. – Any existing records, reports or assessments relating to deaths suspected or considered to have been associated with extreme heat conditions, together with the localities where such deaths occurred, provided in a manner that does not disclose any personal identifying information.

– For comparative purposes, the total number of deaths recorded during the month of July for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Please note that I am not requesting any information that identifies any individual. Any information provided should be anonymised and supplied in a manner that does not disclose any personal identifying information. If any of the requested information is held by another ministry, department, public authority or government entity, I kindly ask to have this request transfered to the appropriate body.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Matthew Agius

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