47 people taken to hospital in suspected mass food poisoning incident
Those affected are understood to have eaten food supplied by the same caterer before falling ill
Updated 9.19pm
Almost 50 people were taken to hospital on Thursday evening after falling ill in an incident believed to be linked to food consumed at a workplace in St Julian's.
Sources told Times of Malta that 47 people are currently being treated for suspected food poisoning after being taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing "at least five ambulances" arriving at an office in Portomaso, St Julian's, on Thursday evening. Those seeking treatment are believed to be employees of the same company.
It is understood that the people had all eaten food supplied by the same caterer.
Four people will be kept in hospital overnight "under observation" while the condition of the other affected people is "not believed to be very serious", sources told Times of Malta
Sources said the large number of patients placed additional pressure on Mater Dei Hospital's emergency department and urged people with non-urgent conditions to consider seeking treatment at health centres where appropriate.
A "major incident" is declared when more than 10 patients arrive for treatment simultaneously at the emergency department.