George Vella returns to Malta after cardiac intervention

Foreign affairs minister has returned to Malta after successfully undergoing a minor cardiac intervention during his official visit in China, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced today.  

On Tuesday, Vella was taken ill during his visit in Beijing and had to have a minor cardiac intervention, and was brought back to Malta by an air ambulance today. 

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced this morning that Vella has arrived in Malta. Muscat thanked the Chinese and Qatar governments for their help, underlining that the Chinese government was always there to assist Malta in such situations, reminding that when former President George Abela was injured during a visit in Shanghai in 2010, China was very helpful.  

Vella is a former deputy prime minister, having served in the Alfred Sant government of 1996-1998 as minister for foreign affairs and the environment.