A witness today recalled to The Malta Independent how, while having a stroll on the St Julian’s promenade yesterday evening, he heard a big noise and saw that the balcony of the Barracuda restaurant had collapsed.
“I went closer to the site to see what had happened, and then saw the boats and dinghies which came to assist those who had fallen.”
Speaking this morning, Joseph Caruana recalled how the persons who fell in the water were transported onshore by dinghies from the area beneath the restaurant to a concrete platform which sits just under the road.
“There were a number of ambulances which arrived on site to assist those injured. At first I thought that only two people were injured, but when I went closer I realized there were more involved.”
Eight French tourists were injured in the incident. One, a 46-year-old woman, was in critical condition while a 46 year-old man suffered grievous injuries.
A magisterial inquiry is under way.
Barracuda restaurant balcony collapses
Health Minister heaped praise on the medical staff that took care of the injured people, saying that only two of those hurt remain in hospital.
Video Jonathan Borg