Submarine requested for Rosso search

Rough seas have prevented the search for the body of Albert Brian Rosso from resuming this week, sources said yesterday.

At the request of the police, contacts are underway between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian government to try to obtain a small submarine that can be used in the search.

Anthony Bugeja and Piero di Bartolo have been charged with Mr Rosso's murder.

On Friday, Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, who is presiding over the compilation of evidence, upheld an application filed by the police and authorised the search for the body of Mr Rosso to continue for another eight days.

The search by Civil Protection Department and army divers, had been halted some two weeks ago. The Magistrate ordered that it should resume as soon as the divers are ready to start and the weather is favourable.

Apart from divers, a robotic camera was used on two days, scanning the sea bed floor at a depth of 100 metres.