[WATCH] Sliema restaurant balcony collapses, nine injured, one in serious condition

Balcony of Barracuda restaurant collapses while people dining inside, at least nine people injured

Last updated on 16 May 2016, 11:04pm
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

Photo: Chris Mangion

Police outside the Barracuda restaurant

Before disaster struck: The Barracuda restaurant in Balluta Bay. Photo: Ray Attard

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Eight injured in Balluta Bay restaurant's balcony collapse

#Balluta_Bay, #Malta restaurant #Barracuda balcony #collapse 30mins ago. People seen in water. ©jason Florio. pic.twitter.com/a4sOOz7y2G
— Florio & Jones (@floriophotoNYC) May 16, 2016

The balcony of the popular Barracuda restaurant in Balluta Bay, Sliema, collapsed this evening, while people were dining inside it. The accident happened at around 8:10pm.

A total of eight diners have been admitted to hospital, all of which were French nationals. Amongst them is a 46-year-old man who has been confirmed to be suffering from grievous injuries, while a 46-year-old woman is in critical condition and is in danger of dying. The rest of the injured people are confirmed to have only minor injuries.

Photo: Chris Mangion

Barracuda owner Walter Cassar on the phone. Photo: Chris Mangion

Photo: Chris Mangion

Barracuda: Emergency medical services dealt with 40 people on site: 1 now undergoing emergency surgery, 8 others at A&E. All foreigners.
— Chris Fearne (@chrisfearne) May 16, 2016

The restaurant was cleared. A medical team was summoned to the Le Meridien to offer medical care to three diners who fell in the water during the balcony collapse.

Health minister Chris Fearne said emergency medical services dealt with 40 people on site: one had to undergo emergency surgery, eight others were at accident and emergency. All casualties were foreign diners.

When the balcony collapsed the people dining inside it fell through the floor and landed on the lower one occupied by the Piccola Padre restaurant.

The restaurant is located by the seaside on Tower Road, overlooking Balluta Bay.

Police and CPD services are on the scene. The armed forces' Melita patrol boat is scouting the waters.