The Ministry of Health has launched an independent inquiry to look into what appears to be a technical fault in an incubator used to store embryos for IVF. In a statement, the Ministry for Health said that the incubator was storing embryos ready for implantation.

The independent inquiry was launched to establish all the facts, it said.

The authorities at Mater Dei have informed the Embryo Protection Authority with the case. All of the embryos are still viable. The couples involved were informed of the fault and the IVF process went on after advice from experts.