A photo shared by John C. Navarro shows a macabre scene in Valletta as the island of Malta starts preparing for the tragedies that will soon follow as World War II commences.

Taken in 1939, the shot shows air raid searchlights entering through Valletta’s main gate as a crowd gathers and watches in anticipation of what this all means for their future.

All that anxiety turned out to be true as Malta soon after became the most bombed country in all of the world.

Apart from this anxious scene, one can also spot the iconic Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana as it being built in the background of the photo.

You could even see an old Maltese bus parked on the right-hand side.

The iconic Triton fountain which many alive today always remember as being there had not even started construction at this point.