Search for second body called off

The search for the remains of Paul Camilleri, who died in Wednesday's Naxxar explosion, has been called off by the Civil Protection Department (CPD) but his funeral will not be held before the site is completely cleared of the remaining rubble.

Since the blast occurred, CPD personnel have been tirelessly working round the clock to find the body of Mr Camilleri, 47, who is suspected to have been manufacturing fireworks in his garage where the explosion is believed to have occurred. Some of his body parts were found on Wednesday.

Mr Camilleri was one of two people killed in the blast that rocked Triq Ħal Dgħejf, demolishing three homes and badly damaging others. The other fatality was 35-year-old Sina Sammut, a mother of two who had just dropped off her shopping at her house - which neighboured the Camilleri residence - when the explosion took place. CPD officers found her in what remained of her kitchen on Thursday morning.

CPD director Peter Cordina yesterday said that the search for Mr Camilleri's body was called off on Saturday night after the inquiring magistrate was consulted.

"We searched all the areas where he could have been and there were no traces of him," he said adding that, before packing up, the CPD ensured that the site was safe from any unexploded chemicals.

Mr Cordina added that the site was now being cleared of remaining rubble by a contractor appointed by the courts who will operate under the supervision of the police.

The contractor has been instructed to work carefully and inform the police if any parts of human tissue is found. Once all the rubble is cleared, the funeral of Mr Camilleri will be able to take place.

As a result of the explosion the houses of the Camilleri family and the two houses neighbouring it on either side (belonging to the Sammut family and the Bugeja family) were completely gutted. Other adjacent houses, as well as residences across the road, were extensively damaged.

Aġenzija Appoġġ has intervened to offer psychological help to the victims while the Housing Authority has provided families who lost their homes with alternative accommodation in Qawra.

Anyone who wishes to help the Sammut family can deposit money in BOV account 4001 7055 396 (the Sammut family Naxxar accident fund) or HSBC account 0061 0918 5050.

Anyone who wishes to help the Bugeja family can deposit money in the BOV account 4001 7049 454 (the Bugeja family Naxxar accident fund).