DNA tests on body part found at Naxxar blast site

Forensic experts are carrying out DNA tests on the upper half of a body, found on the site of last month's Naxxar explosion, to establish whether it belongs to Paul Camilleri who is believed to have died when explosives went off in his garage, The Times has learnt.

The circumstances in which the body part was found indicated that it belonged to Mr Camilleri but DNA tests would ensure a positive identification, a spokesman for the police said when contacted.

The police confirmed that the body was found on March 18, after the Civil Protection Department (CPD) called off the search for Mr Camilleri on March 15, leaving the site in the hands of a contractor who was operating under the supervision of the police and court-appointed staff.

On March 12 a devastating blast rocked Triq Ħal Dgħejf in Naxxar killing two people and damaging several houses.

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.

The body of 35-year-old Sina Sammut was found the day after the explosion.

CPD personnel worked round the clock to find the body of Mr Camilleri, 47. Some of his lower-body parts were found on the day of the blast.

On March 15, the CPD called off the search for the body after it was decided, with the agreement of Magistrate Miriam Hayman, that works would continue by a contractor under police supervision, CPD director Peter Cordina said.