VALLETTA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Two tourists were killed and dozens injured in Malta after a double-decker tourist bus collided with a tree on Monday afternoon.

Local authorities have confirmed that in addition to the two deaths, six individuals remained in critical condition, with another 44 having been treated for slight injuries.

The accident happened in Zurrieq after the bus collided with a low-lying tree branch, probably resulting from gale-force winds, which battered the island on Sunday night.

Health Minister Chris Fearne confirmed a Belgian man, 62 and a Spanish woman, 37, died on the spot, and six others were critically hurt.

Among the six critically injured tourists were three Britons, including two boys, aged six and eight, a 44-year-old man, a 31-year old German woman, a 72-year-old Italian woman, and a 35-year-old man of unknown nationality.

All of those injured, with the exception of the driver, were foreign nationals, the minister said.

In parliament, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat expressed his condolences to the victims' families and solidarity with the injured. He also thanked the first responders for their service.