Malta PM, activists blinded by poor light

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and 40 Labour Party activists have been hospitalised suffering acute pain in the eyes most likely cause by excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays, Times of Malta reports.

All patients, including Muscat, were present at a political event in a village tent at the weekend. Faulty light filters were the most likely cause of the eye irritation, the news portal said on Monday. Police have opened an investigation.

"I could not even open my eyes and tears were flowing like tap water," said Labour Party politician Cyrus Engerer.

Muscat, 40, left hospital on Monday. Doctors recommended that he rest for a few days.

Some of the hospitalised party activists suffered temporary blindness.