What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Malta

Emergency in Malta or Gozo right now? Call 112. This is the free 24-hour national emergency number for an ambulance, Police, firefighters and Civil Protection rescue. Give your town or locality, street address, building or closest landmark and describe the immediate danger. If somebody is unconscious, not breathing normally, badly injured, trapped, threatened by violence or caught in a fire, dial now rather than reading further.

This Malta emergency guide covers Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Msida, Mellieħa, Marsaxlokk, Gozo, Comino and other localities. It is for residents, families, international workers, students and visitors. It begins with emergency numbers and a quick seven-step plan, then explains medical incidents, violence, accessible calling, poison advice, storm and sea hazards, urgent mental-health support and practical household preparation. Official Maltese Police, Civil Protection and Health Ministry information checked on 6 November 2026.

Quick answer: Malta’s emergency and help numbers

112 — all life-threatening emergencies: Police, ambulance, firefighters and rescue. Free from a phone with a usable network, including emergency-capable handsets without a SIM, and available 24/7.
79770112 — Police emergency textphone: an accessibility route published by the Malta Police for people with hearing or speech impairments. It is not a general non-emergency enquiry number.
119 — Police verification and non-emergency enquiries: the Police now publish 119 as a route for non-urgent assistance and verifying suspicious calls. The emergency service remains 112.
21224001 — Malta Police non-emergency: also listed on the Police’s 112 information page for matters needing Police attention without immediate danger.
1400 — non-emergency medical assistance: a 24-hour national health-service contact for medical advice or care where urgent emergency dispatch is not required. Call 112 for a severe injury or life-threatening symptom.
1774 — Malta National Poison Centre: specialist poisoning advice, published with hours 08:00–20:00. Outside those hours seek appropriate healthcare, and call 112 whenever a person is critically ill.
179 — national Supportline: free 24-hour social and safeguarding support for child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, addictions and other crises.
1579 — Mental Health Helpline: free 24-hour support, advice and referral from mental-health professionals; immediate physical danger needs 112.
116 006 — victims of crime support: a specialist route for people affected by crime and those helping them, rather than on-scene emergency Police dispatch.

Official sources: Malta Police — 112, 79770112 and 21224001, Police — 119 and identifying authentic Police callers, Health Ministry — 1400, 1774, 1579 and 112 and Supportline 179.

First 60 seconds: seven actions that matter

Get away from immediate danger if possible. Avoid smoke, active traffic, a violent person, unstable walls, floodwater, live electrical cables and dangerous surf. Do not enter a hazardous area to take photographs.
Call 112. Ask for an ambulance, Police, firefighters or a suitable rescue team. Explain if several services are needed.
State where the incident is. Give Malta or Gozo, town/locality, street, house number, apartment or business, floor, hotel, beach, harbour or nearest safe access.
Describe what happened in one sentence. A person collapsed, a kitchen is burning, someone is threatening people or a swimmer is in distress.
Report who is at risk. State how many people are unconscious, not breathing normally, bleeding, trapped or unable to evacuate without help.
Follow the operator’s instructions. Keep the line open as directed, answer questions and give first aid only as safe and within training or dispatch advice.
Guide responders to the correct approach. If safe, ask someone to meet crews at the apartment block, hotel lobby, junction, ferry terminal or signed beach access.

An example call: ‘Ambulance, please. A person is unconscious at [road and building number], [locality], Malta, second floor, flat 4. Use the door beside [shop or landmark]. My phone is [number].’ For Gozo, mention Gozo and the specific town, ferry terminal, village or rural road. A distinct location can be more valuable than a lengthy medical story.

What happens when you call 112 in Malta?

Malta’s Police emergency service assesses the report and coordinates with Police, emergency medical and fire/rescue services. The Police state that 112 is free, available at any time and should only be used for events posing immediate danger to life or property. Common examples include serious traffic crashes, assaults, dangerous crimes, fires and urgent injuries. In an emergency, you do not need to identify the internal department responsible for sending assistance.

The Police’s published 112 service promise includes rapid call assessment and appropriate action for the incident’s urgency. Do not interpret any publicly stated target as a guarantee of exact arrival time in every location, especially on Gozo, near remote cliffs or during multiple simultaneous incidents. Stay reachable, answer questions and report access problems rather than assuming responders know the right entrance.

The Government’s Medical Emergencies page independently confirms 112 for ambulance, Police and fire, and notes separate hospital emergency departments on Malta and Gozo.

Medical emergencies: when to use 112 rather than 1400

Someone collapses, has severe chest pain or cannot breathe normally

Call 112 for unconsciousness, abnormal breathing, major bleeding, suspected stroke or heart attack, a severe allergic reaction, serious injury or another immediately life-threatening medical condition. Describe what you observe rather than trying to diagnose the illness. The call-taker may ask about age, consciousness, breathing and how to reach the scene.

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow the emergency operator’s directions and appropriate first-aid training for CPR and an automatic external defibrillator (AED). Ask another person to bring an AED if nearby and to guide ambulance staff safely to the patient. Do not give food, drink or tablets to a person who is unconscious or unable to swallow.

A serious injury after a road crash, fall from a height or water rescue may be worsened by unnecessary movement. Unless the immediate surroundings are dangerous, avoid moving a severely injured patient without professional guidance. A life-threatening condition should never wait while a bystander searches for travel insurance information, a private clinic or a hotel concierge.

What does non-emergency medical number 1400 do?

Malta’s national Health Services directory lists 1400 for non-emergency medical assistance, operating 24 hours a day. It can be useful when health advice or assistance is needed but no immediate life-threatening condition is present. It is not the first route for a person who has collapsed, is not breathing normally, has significant uncontrolled bleeding or shows other severe emergency symptoms.

Source: Ministry for Health services and helplines. The urgency of current symptoms should drive your decision; a serious deterioration requires an immediate 112 call regardless of the time of day.

Hospitals on Malta and Gozo

The government lists Mater Dei Hospital in Msida as a major Accident and Emergency department on Malta, and the Gozo hospital in Victoria as the relevant hospital emergency facility on Gozo. A visitor should not assume that the closest private clinic is the correct place for severe trauma or loss of consciousness. Emergency services assess the response and the suitable medical facility.

Where a person is critically ill, call 112 rather than attempting a hazardous self-transport across the island. For less urgent symptoms, consult the appropriate public or private healthcare service or the non-emergency 1400 number. The government’s Medical Emergencies guidance explains the hospital context.

Poisoning: 1774 is not an emergency ambulance

The Ministry for Health lists 1774 as the Malta National Poison Centre contact, with published service hours 08:00–20:00. Call for advice if someone may have ingested too much medicine, encountered a cleaning chemical, eaten a toxic plant or experienced another possible poisoning, provided immediate severe symptoms are absent. Keep the product name, amount, time and person’s age available when known.

Do not induce vomiting, administer a home antidote or force fluids on someone unable to swallow. If the person is unconscious, has a seizure, suffers serious breathing difficulty or is severely ill, call 112 for emergency medical assistance. Outside the Poison Centre’s published hours, contact appropriate healthcare or urgent emergency services according to severity. The official Health Services helpline table is the reference.

Fire, smoke and Civil Protection rescue

Malta’s Civil Protection Department (CPD) provides firefighting, rescue and related assistance across the Maltese territory, including territorial waters. The department’s government information confirms that it responds to requests through the 112 emergency number, with land fire stations and marine rescue resources. If there is dangerous fire or smoke, alert others and leave by a safe exit.

Avoid ordinary lifts during an active fire, close doors behind you where safe and do not return inside for keys, passports or money. If dense smoke blocks the exit, move to a safer protected location when possible, tell the operator your floor and room and follow firefighters’ instructions. Do not enter smoke to check a rumoured missing person; report their last known position.

Old buildings in Valletta, stairwells in multi-storey apartments and commercial premises may have multiple entrances or access limits. Say which road an appliance can reach, which gate opens and where the fire actually is. Source: Malta Civil Protection Department official services.

Violence and urgent Police protection

For an assault, robbery in progress, weapon-related threat or another immediate Police danger, call 112. Move to safety if possible, report the exact location and describe what you actually saw, including injuries or weapons. Do not pursue an offender to obtain video or confront someone who may be dangerous.

If a theft, lost item, noise complaint or administrative concern is no longer an emergency, contact the Police via the published non-emergency routes, including 119 or 21224001 as indicated on official Police pages. Non-emergency procedures can differ by subject; a local station or Police’s own website can guide reporting. Never let uncertainty about those services delay a 112 call during an attack.

Accessibility: Malta Police textphone 79770112

The Malta Police’s official 112 page lists 79770112 as a textphone emergency service for people with hearing or speech impairments. A person who relies on text-based communication should become familiar with this route in advance and know which device or messaging method they can use. It should not be mistaken for a number for routine Police information.

For an ordinary caller who can safely make a voice call, 112 is the first urgent route. Do not assume every general SMS sent to 112 from a phone is handled in the same way as the specialist textphone service. The published official contact is Malta Police emergency accessibility guidance.

How to recognise a Police callback and avoid impostors

Malta Police has published an important notice about 8000 2000. This is a legitimate outgoing caller ID that may appear when Police contact members of the public. It is not a number to call to request assistance. For an emergency, use 112; for verification or a non-urgent matter, the Police notice directs people to 119.

The Police warn that impostors may claim to be officers to obtain payments, bank account numbers, one-time security codes or remote access to a device. A genuine Police caller does not require you to supply PINs, card credentials or device remote control over the telephone. If a call is suspicious, end it and contact the Police through a verified official number, without disclosing sensitive information.

Official source: Malta Police — 8000 2000 caller ID and scams. This distinction is especially useful for older residents and visitors receiving unexpected calls after a reported incident.

Road accidents on Malta’s narrow and busy roads

For a serious vehicle collision with injuries, trapped occupants, fire or immediate danger to traffic, call 112. Give the road name, direction, junction, nearby village or known landmark and whether a vehicle is blocking the road. Stay clear of moving traffic and leaking fuel. Do not step into a dangerous lane to take photographs or read a registration plate.

A minor scrape or collision with no injury or immediate danger may not warrant emergency dispatch. Use the relevant Police non-emergency, insurance and road accident reporting procedures. The official Police page distinguishes major injury, serious property danger and immediate threats from routine traffic incidents. If someone becomes unresponsive or severely injured, the situation changes into an emergency.

Sea rescue, diving, dangerous surf and cliffs

Malta and Gozo have cliffs, rocky shoreline, busy marinas and popular diving sites. When a person is in immediate danger at sea or near a coastal cliff, call 112 and report the island, locality, beach or bay, nearest jetty, access road and number of people. Provide verified coordinates if available. The CPD maintains maritime firefighting and rescue resources as part of its response.

Do not enter rough water, strong currents or an unstable cliff to rescue someone without proper training and equipment. A second person becoming trapped makes the incident worse. Stay near a safe signed access point to guide rescuers if requested. For diving incidents, explain the type of incident, when the diver surfaced, whether breathing is normal and other facts the dispatcher asks for.

If someone comes ashore unconscious, severely injured or not breathing normally, they still need immediate medical assistance through 112. Do not assume that because a person has left the water, the danger is over.

Thunderstorms, flash flooding and strong wind

Sudden heavy rainfall may flood low roads, underpasses, drainage channels and ground-floor areas. Do not drive, walk or ride a motorcycle through moving or unknown floodwater. Water may conceal road damage, deep drains and live electrical hazards. Follow road closures and official Civil Protection instructions and take shelter or evacuate according to the actual incident.

Strong winds can create dangerous seas, falling signs and loose structural debris. Avoid high waves, exposed breakwaters, coastal roads closed for safety and locations where branches or overhead objects may fall. A severe storm at sea is a reason to postpone a voyage rather than attempt an unapproved crossing or diving activity.

If a property is flooding, do not enter a water-filled basement to retrieve a car or turn off electrical equipment while standing in water. A person trapped or at immediate risk should contact 112 and describe the address, floor, number of people and safe access. A routine blocked drain without risk to life belongs with the relevant municipal service, not necessarily emergency dispatch.

Extreme heat, sun exposure and dehydration

Malta’s hot summer weather can increase risk for elderly residents, infants, outdoor workers and visitors walking long distances without enough water or cooling. Move a symptomatic person to safe shade or air conditioning, begin appropriate cooling and offer fluids only if they are fully awake and able to swallow safely. Severe confusion, collapse, seizures or serious breathing problems can signal a medical emergency and require 112.

Do not force water into an unconscious person’s mouth or simply wait for the person to recover when signs are severe. Keep a safe plan for cooling, medication and follow-up during heatwave conditions. People with mobility limitations or chronic illness may need extra assistance getting to a cooler location.

Supportline 179: domestic violence, child welfare and hardship

Malta’s Supportline 179 is operated by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services. It offers free 24-hour support, information and referrals for people facing domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness, addiction, mental-health concerns and other crises. It can assist victims, families and concerned members of the public, including people who need to find a specialist service.

The Foundation also says calls received on European Emotional Support 116 123 and Child Helpline 116 111 are handled by the Supportline 179 team. This is relevant if an older published list has those codes without explaining the responsible local service. The official details are FSWS Supportline 179.

Important: an ongoing assault or immediate life-threatening injury belongs with 112. Supportline 179 helps with protection and referral, but it is not the same as directly dispatching Police or an ambulance to the current scene.

Mental Health Helpline 1579: support versus immediate danger

The Ministry for Health operates 1579, a free national mental-health helpline staffed by trained professionals around the clock. It offers support, advice and referral for people facing significant distress, and can assist family members or friends concerned about someone. The service has been operating since November 2022.

For somebody facing an immediate risk of serious physical harm, needing urgent medical treatment or having already collapsed, contact 112. Mental-health support and emergency medical dispatch are different services and both may sometimes be necessary. Confirmed details: Ministry for Health — 1579.

Being prepared for a power failure or major disruption

A prolonged power cut can affect lifts, communication networks, water pumps, medical equipment, refrigeration and electronic payments. Keep a charged power bank, torch, essential medication, drinking water, suitable shelf-stable food and paper copies of important contacts accessible. A routine outage without injury generally does not require 112; contact the relevant utility provider through the official service.

A family member dependent on an electrically powered medical device needs a suitable backup plan. Discuss this with their healthcare provider and identify a safe alternative location ahead of time. Never use fuel-burning generators, charcoal grills or camping stoves indoors or in a closed garage because carbon monoxide can be fatal.

How to report your location in Malta and Gozo

Island: say Malta, Gozo or Comino first if the place could otherwise be ambiguous.
Locality: Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Birkirkara, Victoria, Xagħra or the relevant town.
Street: road name (Triq), house or building number and nearby intersection.
Apartment: floor, flat, building entrance, block or shared courtyard gate.
Tourism location: hotel, resort, beach, bay, pier, ferry terminal, diving site or cliff access.
Remote coastal location: nearest recognised landmark, track, safe beach access or verified GPS coordinates.
Callback: working mobile number and details about blocked roads or entry restrictions.

Useful English and Maltese emergency phrases

English — ‘I need an ambulance.’ State the person’s current symptoms and full address.
English — ‘There is a fire.’ Give the building, room and whether people are trapped.
Maltese — ‘Għajnuna!’ — Help!
Maltese — ‘Għandi bżonn ambulanza.’ — I need an ambulance.
Maltese — ‘Hemm nar.’ — There is a fire.
Maltese — ‘Ċemplu lill-pulizija.’ — Call the Police.
Maltese — ‘Il-persuna mitlufa minn sensiha.’ — The person is unconscious (recognition aid).
For any call: give the exact town, road, building and safe entrance.

English and Maltese are official languages in Malta. A visitor can call 112 in English, describe the emergency and give the precise location. Pronouncing an unfamiliar street name can be difficult; keep the accommodation address on your phone and ask a safe nearby person for help if needed without delaying a life-saving call.

Household and visitor emergency checklist

Save 112 Emergency for Police, ambulance, fire and rescue.
Save 119 Police non-emergency and/or the officially listed 21224001; do not confuse them with urgent dispatch.
Know 79770112 as the specialist Police textphone for people who need accessible emergency contact.
Keep 1400 for non-emergency medical assistance and 1774 for poison advice, noting its hours.
Save 179 for welfare and family support, and 1579 for mental-health advice.
Write your complete address, island, locality, floor and road or hotel entrance.
Know the nearest building fire exit, safe outside meeting point and accessible AED.
Review sea, coastal, severe-rainfall and summer-heat risks relevant to the activity.
Keep medication, lighting, drinking water, a phone charger and a backup communication plan available.

Common mistakes to avoid

Calling Police non-emergency 119 or 21224001 during a current violent attack instead of 112.
Dialling 8000 2000 to request Police help, despite the official warning that it is only an outgoing caller ID.
Using medical number 1400 or poison advice 1774 as a substitute for ambulance dispatch during collapse.
Assuming that every ordinary SMS to 112 works the same as Malta Police’s specialised textphone.
Giving only ‘Malta’ or ‘Gozo’ without a locality, street, beach, building or access route.
Entering dangerous surf or falling from a cliff while trying to help without rescue equipment.
Driving through moving floodwater or into a storm-closed coastal road.
Waiting for insurance approval or an information service before making a critical emergency call.

Frequently asked questions

What is Malta’s emergency telephone number?

112 is the national emergency number for Police, ambulance, firefighters and Civil Protection rescue, free and available 24 hours.

Is 119 an emergency Police number?

Malta Police’s current caller-verification notice directs non-urgent calls to 119. For immediate danger or an emergency requiring Police response, call 112.

What is 79770112?

It is the official Malta Police emergency textphone service for people with hearing or speech impairments, as listed on the Police 112 page.

Does Malta have non-emergency medical assistance?

Yes. The Health Ministry lists 1400 as a 24-hour non-emergency medical assistance number. Life-threatening conditions require 112.

What is the Poison Centre number?

The Ministry for Health lists 1774, with published hours 08:00–20:00. For collapse, seizures or serious breathing difficulty, call 112.

What numbers provide social or mental-health support?

179 offers free 24/7 welfare and safeguarding support; 1579 offers free 24/7 mental-health advice from trained professionals. Immediate physical danger belongs with 112.

Official Malta sources and further emergency guides

Safety and accuracy notice: This guide cannot dispatch emergency workers or replace clinical advice or current Civil Protection instructions. National emergency numbers, non-emergency lines and specialist support checked on 6 November 2026. In immediate danger in Malta or Gozo, dial 112 now.