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| Malta's Azure Window collapses into the sea | Malta's Azure Window collapses into the sea |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Malta's famous Azure Window rock arch has collapsed into the sea after heavy storms. | Malta's famous Azure Window rock arch has collapsed into the sea after heavy storms. |
| Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the news was "heartbreaking". | Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the news was "heartbreaking". |
| A study in 2013 said that while erosion was inevitable, the structure was not in imminent danger of collapsing, the Times of Malta reports. | A study in 2013 said that while erosion was inevitable, the structure was not in imminent danger of collapsing, the Times of Malta reports. |
| The popular limestone arch on Gozo island was featured on the first episode of the HBO series Game of Thrones and in several films. | |
| Officials had recently introduced signs and a fine to stop people from walking across the landmark but they were often ignored. | Officials had recently introduced signs and a fine to stop people from walking across the landmark but they were often ignored. |
| Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Twitter: "Reports commissioned over the years indicated that this landmark would be hard hit by unavoidable natural corrosion. That sad day arrived." | Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Twitter: "Reports commissioned over the years indicated that this landmark would be hard hit by unavoidable natural corrosion. That sad day arrived." |
| Roger Chessell, from the village of Xaghra, told the Times of Malta: "There was a big raging sea beneath the window. Suddenly, the arch collapsed into the sea." | Roger Chessell, from the village of Xaghra, told the Times of Malta: "There was a big raging sea beneath the window. Suddenly, the arch collapsed into the sea." |
| Strong gale force winds hit Malta on Tuesday, leading the Gozo Channel ferry company to suspend its services, the report adds. | Strong gale force winds hit Malta on Tuesday, leading the Gozo Channel ferry company to suspend its services, the report adds. |
| It also said that many residents went to the site to see what had happened. | It also said that many residents went to the site to see what had happened. |
| The Azure Window was one of Malta's most famous landmarks. | The Azure Window was one of Malta's most famous landmarks. |
| Tourists have been filmed jumping off the arch into the sea, dislodging clumps of rock in the process. | Tourists have been filmed jumping off the arch into the sea, dislodging clumps of rock in the process. |
| For those mourning the loss, there is a second, less well-known arch at nearby Wied il-Mielah. | For those mourning the loss, there is a second, less well-known arch at nearby Wied il-Mielah. |
| More of our most read stories: | More of our most read stories: |
| Did you witness the collapse of the Azure Window rock arch? Get in touch and email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Did you witness the collapse of the Azure Window rock arch? Get in touch and email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| If you are available to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number. | If you are available to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number. |
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| Or WhatsApp us on +44 7555 173285. | Or WhatsApp us on +44 7555 173285. |
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