Second youth arrested over Paceville incident

Police have arrested a second youth, 17, in connection with an incident at the PlusOne nightclub in Paceville, where a stampede led to a glass banister giving way.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on Monday, over allegations that his use of pepper spray inside the crowded nightclub sparked the stampede, in which 74 young people suffered injuries in the fall that ensued.

A magisterial inquiry has been launched and police investigations are ongoing.

Nine of the youths are still recovering from their injuries in hospital, whist a 13-year-old girl who was in ITU care is showing signs of progress. A 15-year-old girl who was originally certified as being in critical condition has taken a turn for the better and has been transferred to another ward.

Home affairs minister Carmelo Abela said that a fight had occurred at the nightclub which lasted a few minutes, after which pepper spray was allegedly used. People started feeling a shortness of breath and bounces started ushering them out.

The incident sparked political outrage, with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announcing that harsher penalties will be applied for nightclub owners caught breaking the law. The Opposition has called for an independent inquiry into the incident to establish what caused the incident and why the emergency exit door hadn’t functioned.