Tourist, 21, badly injured after three-storey fall from balcony
Police are investigating whether incident may have stemmed from a dangerous rooftop challenge
A 21-year-old Scottish man suffered serious injuries after falling around three storeys from a balcony of an apartment in Mellieħa on Sunday night, the police said.
In a statement, police said they were informed at around 9pm that assistance was needed near a block of apartments in Triq il-Fortizza, Mellieħa.
A medical team and members of the Civil Protection Department rushed to the scene to assist, before the man was taken by ambulance to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was later certified as suffering from serious injuries.
Magistrate Monica Borg Galea has opened an inquiry while police investigations are ongoing.
A witness to the incident told Times of Malta that the injured man was part of a group of British tourists aged between 18 and 21 who had been staying at an Airbnb apartment in the area for the past few days.
The group was seen on the rooftop terrace of the apartment block before the incident occurred.
The witness, who did not wish to be identified, claims the incident happened after one of the tourists attempted to jump from one balcony to another.
A chaotic scene ensued after the fall, with several of the young men visibly distressed. Some were seen crying and holding their heads in shock, while others appeared to suffer a panic attack.
A person inside a nearby terrace was also seen attempting to assist the injured man before paramedics arrived.
Police officers later went to the rooftop area and spoke to members of the group. Sources said police also inspected a neighbouring apartment.
The group had reportedly been due to leave Malta next Tuesday.