Malta Azure window collapses after storm

One of the symbols of Malta, the “Azure window" limestone arch on the nearby island of Gozo, collapsed during the recent strong storms that lashed the small archipelago located to the south of Sicily.

The fall made headline news worldwide and Stevie Haston, who grew up on the isle of Malta and now lives on Gozo, checked out the collapse with his own eyes. He stated "I love the rock of Gozo, perhaps I am its biggest fan, and I know the most about it, after all I have climbed on it through out my life. The Azure Window was purposely left out of the guide book to climbing, even though historically it had been climbed on for 50 years. Indeed, thank god I left it out because for the last few years the papers have been full of shouting, and complaints about people damaging the arch by walking on it! The Azure Window was never going to fall down due to a fat tourist, or five, it fell down in a storm. It was created by storms, and it was killed by storms.”

Haston is worried that many may believe that climbers may have influenced the collapse, and that the already fragile access to climbing on other parts of the island may be in jeopardy. “I am fighting to keep open access to the other arch” Haston told planetmountain.com “and need support from the climbing community, this will be very helpful.” Climbing is an important part of the local economy and Haston explained that there is “Lots of great climbing, more than 100 new sport routes and 100 trad for you.” More info will follow in due course.

For more information check out steviehaston.blogspot.com