Malta is paying its last respects to Miriam Pace, the 55-year-old woman who died when the house she was in collapsed on Monday.
Pace, a mother of two, was found beneath the rubble nearly eight hours after the building, in Hamrun, collapsed. The plot near her residence is being excavated.
The funeral is being held at the Carmelite church in Valletta, which is packed by relatives, friends and people who did not know Miriam, but wanted to express their solidarity with the family.
Tens of others are following the proceedings from outside the church.
There has been public outcry against the construction industry after Monday’s tragedy, and calls for the authorities to take action.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said the government is working to change the laws governing the industry to make it safer.
Both the Prime Minister as well as Opposition Leader Adrian Delia are attending the funeral.
In his homily, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said the country is heavy with sorrow and looks to God for solace.
“We will not ask God for answers but we approach him for solace and we pray that he will give Miriam a home that will never collapse,” he said.
“This is our destiny, that we get close to him and we let him embrace us with empathy and love.”
“We also call for justice for Miriam, not vengeance, but justice. We support the authorities and hope that they will not only preach but also take action so that the family can feel supported.”
“We aren’t praying for much, only for us to feel safe in our homes. So we appeal for the authorities to realise this one wish of ours.”
At the end of the Mass, the congregation applauded as the coffin was being taken out of the church. Some people kissed the coffin after it was placed in the hearse.