Gozo power outage leaves residents without electricity for 26 hours

Parts of Gozo lost electricity for up to 26 hours after two major faults hit Enemalta's high-voltage network. Residents, businesses, restaurants, hotels and tourists were affected across the island. Food spoiled in homes and businesses.

People worried about medicines needing refrigeration. Elderly and vulnerable residents became trapped in buildings when lifts stopped working. Thousands of hostile social media comments targeted Energy Minister Miriam Dalli, with many calling for her resignation and accusing her of incompetence.

Teddie Abela, 71, from Victoria in Gozo and father of Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela, posted on social media: "I am 71 years old, and I cannot remember a power cut lasting for so long." He called the situation "a disgrace in 2026" and addressed Dalli directly: "I don't know how you are not ashamed to face the public."

He later removed the post. Net News, a PN media outlet, reported that the post caused considerable unease at Labour Party headquarters and that canvassers linked to Dalli allegedly pressured the Labour leadership to ensure Abela took it down. Net News also reported that some within the Labour Party defended Abela's comments and agreed Dalli had repeatedly failed.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended Miriam Dalli despite calls for her to resign. The blackout reflects years of underinvestment in Enemalta's distribution network and an economic model placing unsustainable demands on national infrastructure, Shift News reported.