The popular Barracuda Restaurant in Balluta Bay was the scene of a dinner from hell yesterday evening, when its balcony collapsed on to underlying tables.

One seriously injured patron had to undergo emergency surgery late last night, with eight others receiving treatment for grievous injuries at the Accident and Emergency Department of Mater Dei Hospital.

Rescuers said as many as 40 people had been assisted by emergency responders, receiving treatment for minor injuries and shock on site. It was not known at the time of writing what had caused the balcony, which supports several tables, to collapse. Magistrate Franco Depasquale was on the scene last night to begin inquiries.

The restaurant, known for its sea views, was immediately evacuated but a number of diners had to be assisted by Armed Forces vessels after the crashing terrace had flung them on to the underlying rocks, with some landing in the sea.

I heard a frightful crashing sound as we were sat enjoying our meal. It really was extremely frightening

Eyewitness Peter Tolan, 71, was eating in the restaurant at the time of the incident and could not believe his luck at not having been injured.

“We were going to sit outside on the balcony to enjoy the view with our meal, but luckily my wife felt a little bit chilly so we decided to stay inside,” he said.

Mr Tolan, who is attending a conference in Malta, said he heard an “unusual roar” as the balcony tore away from the restaurant’s facade and crushed the tables below.

“I heard a frightful crashing sound as we were sat enjoying our meal. It really was extremely frightening,” he told the Times of Malta moments after the incident.

“At first I thought it was something to do with the festa. But then we saw the whole of the canopy over the balcony collapse on to the tables below,” he said.

Another witness, Mary Grace Brincat, who saw the balcony collapse as she enjoyed an evening stroll, said she heard screams from within the restaurant.

“I heard one woman screaming particularly loud; she was in agony,” she said.

Emergency responders said the worst injured was a French woman who had broken her hip in multiple places.

Most of those injured were foreigners.

Meanwhile, one of the waiters who stood outside in disbelief said they had been “very, very lucky” as thankfully the restaurant was not particularly busy.

Mr Tolan offered high praise for the staff at the restaurant, saying that they had remained “cool, calm and collected”, trying their best to assist those who had been injured.

“I actually saw staff climb out through a window to see whether there were any people who were injured,” he said.