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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2014 3 News MIRIAM DALLI THE damage to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's eyes occurred as a result of a careless mistake by a technician, who failed to cover bright lights with UV filters during a Sunday activity. Ironically, the company that maintains the lights belongs to Sil- vio Scerri, the Home Affairs chief of staff. Doctors have advised Muscat to stay at home until he has fully re- covered from acute pain to both of his eyes. Sources told MaltaToday that during the first few days af- ter the incident, the prime minis- ter could hardly open his eyes, let alone look at a television screen or a computer. He is also said to have suffered light skin burns. Muscat was hospitalised in the early hours of Monday morning suf- fering from acute pain to both his eyes. The same symptoms – most of them not as severe as the prime minister's – were also reported by some 60 other persons – all of whom attended a political activity in Zurrieq on Sunday. The prime minister suffered from temporary blindness, caused by burns to his cornea, and burns to his face. It is believed that the burns have been caused by UV radiation. Al- though any use of chemicals has been ruled out, a police investiga- tion is underway. While the possibility that the ra- diation may have originated from cameras is not being ruled out, it is far more likely that it came from lighting installed in the tent, pro- vided by Nexos Lighting Technol- ogy. Persons wearing spectacles and sunglasses with UV protection in fact remained unharmed. According to consultant derma- tologist Lawrence Scerri, exposure to UV lighting may result in skin burn. "However, most of the dam- age is done to the eyes, and I would be surprised if the skin were to be severely conditioned in such a short period of time," Scerri explained. He said that just like sunbathing, the longer the exposure, the harsh- er the effects to the skin. Having been placed at the centre of the tent, Joseph Muscat was the one to suffer the most injury to his eyes. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis, junior ministers Chris Fearne and Michael Falzon, backbencher Joseph Sammut and Labour candidates for the Euro- pean Parliament Elections Miriam Dalli and Cyrus Engerer were also hospitalised. The Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that Muscat had been the "most exposed" to whatever was emitting the UV radiation. He suffered temporary blindness for around 24 hours but his vision has now improved. "The prime minister has been or- dered to stay at home and to slowly increase his exposure to light," Cas- tille said. Sufferers said their eyes started to water and experienced burning to their eyes. Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis, parliamentary secretaries Michael Falzon and Chris Fearne have returned to work and attended Tuesday'' parliamentary sitting. Lighting provided by private company left PM with temporarily impaired vision Subscribe to the e-paper Read the MaltaToday and MaltaToday midweek at 5am on the morning of publication on your Desktop, Tablet or Smartphone Subscribe now at www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/maltatodayepaper With an annual subscription you will get a FREE copy of your choice either Saviour Balzan's 'Saying It As It Is' or 'GourmetToday 100 best recipes' worth over €20 Subscription options 1 edition: €0.80 3 months: €15.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek 6 months: €28.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek 12 months: €50.00 + FREE BOOK *best value* FIFTEEN candidates have sub- mitted their nomination for next month's European Parliament elec- tions, the electoral commission an- nounced on Tuesday evening. Six candidates must be elected to represent Malta in the European Parliament. Among the MEP hopefuls are far- rightist Norman Lowell, Imperium Europa candidate Antoine Galea, Arlette Baldacchino, Alleanza Lib- erali candidate Jean Pierre Sammut and tal-Ajkla candidate Zaren Bon- nici. The other nominations include PN candidates Ray Bugeja, David Casa, Kevin Cutajar, Helga Ellul, Roberta Metsola, Norman Vella and Francis Zammit Dimech. Labour candidates Peter Cordina, Ivan Grixti and Fleur Vella submit- ted their nomination as well. 15 candidates submit nomination for EP elections

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