Thirty students and bouncers in massive Paceville brawl

Paceville’s core looked more like a battlefield than an entertainment hub at 3 a.m. yesterday after a young Moroccan man was allegedly short-changed and 30 of his fellow students ended up in a brawl against bouncers.

The police said five of the students, who are in their late teens, required hospital treatment after sustaining injuries from the fight with the bouncers.

A source close to the students said the chaos started when one of the boys began arguing with a barman after he pointed out that he had been given incorrect change.

A fight then broke out between the bouncers and the students, who are in Malta studying English, and carried on outside the club.

The situation got out of hand and one boy was allegedly hit by a metal rod. Those taken to hospital sustained cuts and bruises – some required stitches – and one had his little finger broken, The Times has learnt. The police were called in and broke up the brawl. They said some cars were damaged during the fight and two of the boys may be charged with causing the damage.

In a separate incident in another Paceville establishment, a foreigner was admitted to hospital after being found unconscious following a fall. Suspicions of foul play were ruled out, according to police sources. The man was later discharged.

Both incidents are being investigated by the police.