Fourteen people were hospitalised last night after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning during a wedding reception at Montekristo in Hal Farrug.

Eight have since been discharged from hospital. Three were in serious but stable condition this morning but the Health Department said all six hospitalised patients will be discharged tomorrow. 

The three most serious patients were an 18-year-old man from Mqabba, an 18-year-old woman from Zurrieq and a 43-year-old man from Siggiewi. Their condition had initially been critical but they improved after being treated in the hyperbaric unit.

The police said another two men, a 27-year-old from Gudja and a 22-year-old from Qormi and a 20-year-old woman from Birzebbuga are also in hospital. The two men were also treated in the Hyperbaric Unit.

The incident happened when cooking equipment was transferred indoors because of the wind. Several people fainted and were rushed to hospital in a fleet of ambulances. Those taken to hospital were catering staff.

Two doctors who were wedding guests gave first aid.

Rescuers from the Civil Protection Department inspected the premises and evacuated the room where the people fell ill, however the wedding continued.

The police are investigating and a magisterial inquiry is under way.

The people who have been discharged are two men aged 17 and 19 from Safi, a 19-year-old man from Mqabba, a 19-year-old woman from Qrendi,  a 58-year-old woman from Birzebbuga , a 17-year-old woman from Marsascala, a woman, 23 from Marsaxlokk and a 64-year-old man from San Gwann. 

The Health Department in a statement said  five patients were transferred to the Hyperbaric Unit (four men and one woman) and another woman was admitted to the Observation Ward. The patients at the Hyperbaric Unit early this morning were admitted to the Medical Wards for observation.

The Minister for Health, Godfrey Farrugia thanked all the staff concerned at Mater Dei Hospital for their sterling work and also thanked the members of the Malta Police Force and the Department for Civil Protection for their immediate response.