Panic erupted at
St. Luke's Hospital in Guardamangia
on Tuesday morning after the outpatients section received a bomb threat.
An anonymous person called the outpatients service
at around 0915CET and said that a bomb would explode in the section within one
hour. The hospital’s authorities immediately informed the Police of the call and
evacuated all patients and employees from the section.
Members of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) from
the bomb disposal unit arrived on site soon afterwards and initiated investigations. Fortunately, the search yielded no hazards.
Numerous police officers and local wardens
were called on location to assist to the worried evacuees and control traffic.
In a press conference later during the
morning, Medical Administrator Stephanie Xuereb said that appointments
scheduled for Tuesday morning will be deferred to a later date.
The Ministry for Health, Elderly and Community Care
condemned the incident. In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the Ministry said
that such acts are irresponsible and interfere with services given in the
section. It added that such acts can have serious consequences on people’s
lives, especially patients who are being cared for at hospital.
The Ministry also called for the public’s cooperation so
that similar incidents are not repeated.
Arqa dan l-artiklu bil-Malti:
Theddida ta' bomba f'sezzjoni ta' l-isptar -
Mej 8, 2007 - 5:16:14 PM
