Seventy one people were injured when a glass banister at Plusone club in Paceville collapsed under the pressure of the weight of scores of people who were trying to leave at the same time. 

Two of the injured, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old, are critically injured, while another 13 were kept for further treatment in hospital. The rest of those injured were discharged from health clinics and Mater Dei Hospital.

It is understood that one of the injured girls was celebrating her birthday at the club.

People at the club said they had difficulty breathing and tried to leave the premises all at one go, leading to a stampede.

Forty two of the injured were seen at Mater Dei Hospital, while the rest were seen at the Paola, Mosta and Floriana health centres.

Reportedly, the authorities are investigating a possible gas leak which could have led to the panic which ensued but reports have suggested someone sprayed pepper spray inside the establishment, leading to a stampede.

In videos posted online, a mass of people can be seen descending the stairs. In front, there is a line of black shirted presumably security people. It is not clear what they were doing, but one of them can be seen urging the onlookers gathered outside to move on.

Then club’s glass banister gave way and many people fell on the steps of a club next door.

Fearne says ambulances made some 21 trips to transfer injured to hospital

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne said a total 42 were admitted to the emergency department at Mater Dei while 30 received treatment at health care centres across Malta but one of the patients was transferred to hospital for further treatment.

Speaking during a news conference held at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday morning, Dr Fearne said that the patients who were treated for injuries are aged between 13 and 25 years old.

Dr Fearne said that a number of the patients sustained fractures while others had to have shards of glass which penetrated their skin removed.

“Around 21 trips were made by ambulances during the night to transfer the patients to hospital. The emergency call was made at 1.05am and the first patient was admitted to hospital at 1.22am,” he told journalists.

Dr Konrad Borg, an emergency doctor who helped coordinate efforts at the emergency department last night, said the operation was a “smooth one”.

He said that two consultants were at the site of the accident to determine whether there was the need for a major accident protocol to be triggered off, as per procedure. Once this was determined, the procedure to prepare Mater Dei staff for an influx of patients was kick-started.

The last major accident which took place in Malta was during the PaqPaqlighall-Istrina activity held at Luqa after the driver of a Porsche lost control and crashed into a number of onlookers, injuring 26.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat expressed his regret and concern about what had happened.

“The fact that there were so many children – because that is what they are – in a nightclub when we have clear laws is something that concerns me and angers me. The government will take all necessary measures to ensure that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again,” he said.

Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said he was worried about the level of security in Paceville.

“I am a father and my eldest son frequents Paceville. I cannot sleep easy knowing the level of safety in the area,” he said.

Dr Busuttil said violent incidents in Paceville had become so frequent that they no longer shocked people.

“We need higher standards in nightclubs and places of entertainment. We also need increased safety on the streets of Paceville,” he said.

Dr Busuttil also questioned why underage youths were among those injured last night.