President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca this evening said that she feels responsible each time something happens to the Maltese people.

She was asked about her responsibilities after 26 people were injured during an activity held in aid of the Community Chest Fund when a car careened out of control into the crowd.

Addressing the media at San Anton Palace, Dr Coleiro Preca said that the MCCF will be offering its help to all those who were injured and also people who were on site at the time of the accident, should they feel the need.

The telephone numbers that have been set up are 21226226 and 21240568 (available from Monday)

The President, who was very emotional, has cancelled her planned trip to the UK to be as close to the injured and their families as possible. She said that when she first received the call regarding the incident, she felt like crying.

She said that a magisterial inquiry is under way and one should let it be completed before passing judgment.

When asked by The Malta Independent who was responjsible for issuing the permit for the activity, Dr Coleiro Preca said that since an inquiry is under way "I am not in a position to divulge such information."

Photo above Melvin Degiorgio, Photos below Karl Calleja

The Porsche car just 10 minutes before the accident