Car runs into crowd at Malta motorshow, 17 injured

At least 17 people were injured when a car taking part in a motorshow in Malta deviated from the track and ran into the crowd on Sunday afternoon, a media report said.

The driver was critically injured, Xinhua reported citing Malta Today.

The incident took place around 2 p.m. at the Malta International Airport Hal Farrug area, where the annual motoring event Paqpaqli Ghall-Istrina was being held.

A number of ambulances at the site treated the wounded, while two helicopters were deployed to transport the injured.

"The car was speeding down the taxiway when the back left wheel went on the grass. The car spun out of control, went through the barriers where a large crowd was watching, and into the area of the static car exhibition," Times of Malta quoted a witness as saying.

Organised by the office of the president, the Paqpaqli Ghall-Istrina is the biggest annual motoring event in Malta, mainly aiming at raising funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Malta President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was seen at the scene shortly after the incident.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat tweeted that he went to the Mater Dei Hospital to look at the victims.