A 71-year-old woman died on Sunday following a traffic accident involving President Emeritus George Abela and his wife.
The victim was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a car carrying George Abela and his wife Margaret, parents of Prime Minister Robert Abela.
The PM confirmed in a Facebook post that his parents were in hospital and in a "stable condition".
The accident occurred on Triq Hompesch Fgura at around 3.30pm on Sunday afternoon. It involved a head-on collision between a Toyota Corolla and an Audi Q3.
In its official statement, the police said that preliminary investigations found that the crash occurred between a Toyota Corolla, driven by a 23-year-old woman from Żabbar, and an Audi Q3, driven by a 77-year-old man from Marsascala, George Abela.
In the Toyota, there was also a 71-year-old woman from Żabbar.
In the Audi, there were also two women aged 76 and 42, both from Marsascala, as well as two boys aged 14 and 11.
Members of the Civil Protection Department, a medical team, and ambulances were called to the scene. All the individuals involved were taken to Mater Dei Hospital to receive the necessary medical treatment, the police said.
Unfortunately, the 71-year-old woman was certified dead a short while later, the ;olice said.
The 23-year-old woman is in serious condition, while the 77-year-old man and the 76-year-old woman - the Prime Minister's parenmts - were certified as having sustained grievous injuries, the police said.
The condition of the other individuals is still pending.
Magistrate Dr Ian Farrugia LL.D was informed of the case and has appointed an inquiry. Police investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
The Prime Minister, on Facebook, said prior to the news that a person had died, that he would like to “sincerely thank the doctors, nurses, and other ambulance and hospital staff, the Police, members of the CPD, and all those who assisted my parents in a serious traffic accident they were involved in earlier today. They are currently recovering in hospital, in a stable condition, and are receiving the best care.”
“At the same time, my thoughts and prayers are with the two people who were in the other vehicle involved in the collision, and I wish them a speedy recovery.”
George Abela, the Prime Minister's father, served as President of Malta between 2009 and 2014.
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech extended his wishes for a swift recovery to the parents of Prime Minister Robert Abela. "Our thoughts at this moment are with Former President George Abela and his wife, who are recovering in hospital after this accident in Fgura. A short while ago, I contacted the Prime Minister and offered him all our support during this time. I also send my condolences to the family of the victim who lost her life in this incident.”
EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola also said on social media that her thoughts are with Former President George Abela and his wife Margaret and wished them a speedy recovery. "I extend my condolences to the family of the victim in this tragic accident, and I wish a quick recovery to the other persons involved in the crash."