Barracuda incident victim out of danger; see more pictures of drama

The 46-year-old diner who was critically injured when the Barracuda Restaurant balcony collapsed last night is out of danger.

The French woman is still being treated in intensive care at Mater Dei Hospital but sources said surgery last night was successful.

“The woman had multiple fractures, including to the pelvis, and there were cardiovascular issues, but she is no longer critical. She is conscious and stable,” a source told Times of Malta.

Another eight victims also injured in the incident are recovering well and are expected to start being discharged today.

Another eight victims also injured in the incident are recovering well

The accident happened at 8.10pm yesterday when the balcony of the popular restaurant, which was carrying 40 people at the time, collapsed onto the balcony of the Piccolo Padre restaurant below, as patrons were having dinner.

Nobody was on the Piccolo Padre balcony, which withstood the impact. Of the eight injured, three ended up on the rocks below. Patrons sitting inside the restaurant said they heard an "unusual roar" as the balcony crashed down.

Video: Matthew Mirabelli

The incident created ripples of shock among hundreds who were on their daily stroll along the Sliema front. A magisterial inquiry is under way.

Barracuda, a family-run restaurant which specialises in fish, has been a fixture on the Maltese fine dining scene for the past 36 years.

Pictures above by Matthew Mirabelli and Darrin Zammit Lupi unless otherwise indicated.