The permit for the activity Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina held today was not under the remit of the Civil Protection Department, CPD chief John Rizzo told The Malta Independent this evening.

Asked whether the CPD had been requested to provide a permit for the event, which was organised as part of the campaign to raise funds for the Community Chest Fund, Mr Rizzo said that it was not the CPD's responsibility.

During today’s activity, 26 people were injured when a Porsche careened onto the attending crowd, injuring 26, five of them critical.

CPD personnel were on site to give first aid assistance together with other entities such as the police and NGOs after the accident.

Questions have been sent to the police about the permit needed for today's activity.