President George Abela was rushed to hospital in China yesterday after falling and suffering a fracture to his vertebrae. As a result of the accident, the President had to cancel his presence at the Official Inauguration of the Shanghai Expo 2010. He was immediately admitted to Ruijin Hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from an incomplete fracture of his second lumbar transverse process, combined with bruising in the left side of his chest and the soft tissue of his waist.

While the next update on President Abela’s condition is expected sometime this morning, he is currently being kept in hospital to undergo further observation tests and treatment. This is the second time that the President has been rushed to hospital since taking up the post, after he collapsed during a funeral of a close friend when he was overcome by grief and emotion. This time, the reasons are more serious, although not life threatening. The Nationalist Party and the Labour Party were amongst those who wished the President a speedy recovery. Anton Tabone is acting President in Dr Abela’s absence.