President George Abela and his delegation have left China on their way back to Malta in an air ambulance after Dr Abela injured his back in a fall on Friday.

The aircraft, provided by the Chinese government, left China at 3 a.m. (Malta time) and is due in Malta at 4 p.m, the Department of Information said.

Dr Abela was in China for the opening of the World Expo in Shanghai but missed the ceremony because of the incident. Foreign Minister Tonio Borg attended instead.

The President suffered a hairline fracture in one of the bones of his spine, when he fell on his way to breakfast last Friday. He was treated at Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai. Chinese President Hu Jintao visited him in hospital.

On the flight back, Dr Abela is also being accompanied by four Chinese medical staff. He will be taken straight to Mater Dei Hospital.

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