Kurt Bugeja Coster
Refuse collector spots inert hand grenade in scammel
Alarmed police officers evacuated the Birkirkara police station and military explosive experts were called in after a refuse collector approached the reception desk holding what looked like a hand grenade, which later turned out to be inert.
The man spotted the grenade in a scammel and decided to take it to the police station in Triq il-Kbira to be eventually displayed in a museum, the police said.
But the alarmed officer at the reception desk immediately alerted the Armed Forces of Malta's Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOU) and instructed all officers present to evacuate the building.
The police station is situated close to President Eddie Fenech Adami's private residence.
EOU personnel were soon on site and inspected the grenade, establishing that it did not contain any explosive material. The police officers were then allowed back in and continued with their duties. The refuse collector was held for further questioning.
Sources said the grenade was most probably World War II memorabilia, thrown away by somebody.
Such inert grenades are often used for training purposes, mainly when practising how to lob them into enemy positions.
They are popular among service personnel, often used as paper weights.
Security sources recommended that any suspicious object should not be touched or handled by the finder, regardless of whether it looks like an explosive device or not.
This too applies to any abandoned luggage in or around an air terminal.
Such items are always to be treated as suspect until they are properly taken care of and defused by explosives experts.
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martin saliba
Sep 7th 2008, 09:29
Good, Tennis match between T. Borg and Charles camilleri. Referee Franco Farrugia.
R. Buttigieg
Sep 7th 2008, 09:16
@ ALL OF YOU.
From what I can read I can only say one thing. You guys dont know what you are talking about. Drydocks persons cannot be compared to policemen or any other army men. You got paid for what you were doing. As for these gentlemen who "vocationally" chose their path of life as policemen, one cannot but pity their situation. It is now that the police force has fallen under the government legislation. Previously, the force was under the hands of the president.
25 years of service is more then enough for these men and women who risk their lives, listen to your stories and try to help out the citizens.
What do they get in return? UNGRATEFUL statements from Charles Camilleri...just because he thinks that by working in the drydocks, he was one of the elite and since under the MLP they always were "Soldiers", he thinks that he has served the country...all I can tell you is that you are actling like a "Bahri tal-bnazzi".
Get your stories straight mate.
Franco Farrugia
Sep 6th 2008, 18:12
@Charles Camilleri
We had a different problem back then; we have different problems now.
May I suggest that perhaps you might use a time-machine and go back to the years that you wish to continue remembering? I, for one, wish to forget them.
t. borg
Sep 6th 2008, 17:57
@Charles camilleri. It seems that you agree that the police should not be paid immediately for their work because of the past. People with your mentality make the p.n. loose votes. What is wrong is wrong full-stop.
Charles Camilleri
Sep 6th 2008, 17:27
@ Franco Farrugia. My point is that labour inclined persons who persistently criticise the Govt for any minor shortcoming should be reminded of their past. As regards police conditions everyone who is interested can compare the conditions of work in the past with the present including the restoration of the 25yr service and no deduction of pension if one decides to work after being pensioned out. I am sorry that i might have hurt you too Franco.
Charles Camilleri
Sep 6th 2008, 16:54
@ T. Borg. Since it seems that labour's past hurt you, let me remind you that we dockyard employees used to wait days for our pay because the then Minister of Finance would sign the cheque . WE did not get overtime pay but instead we got time of in lieu for those who were lucky enough. The police force should be grateful to the Nat. Govt .for their present conditions including the 25 yrs service which labour had denied to them. Thank this Govt and the Times that you are allowed to criticise the Govt. We were not allowed this luxury under your Govt.
Franco Farrugia
Sep 6th 2008, 16:41
@ Charles Camilleri - What is your point? To ram home the idea that all is well in this era, compared to what used to take place a long time ago?
Heaven forbid that we should revert back to those dark old days. But equally stupid is the idea that for every complaint that we make, we try and force people to reminisce on 'darker days than these'.
The point that the gentleman was making is a simple one: the policemen should have already been paid for the work they did, way back in March. Full-stop, Mr Camilleri!
And as regards policemen's conditions, well , I think that we should let THEM speak, no? But we have to move with the times. What was adequate 20 years ago is no longer so today.
t. borg
Sep 6th 2008, 15:15
@Charles camilleri. I know that they will be paid but two wrongs do not make one good. This is an unjust situation and police must be paid immediately for all their work including extra duties like other sectors and not abused. I know officers who need the money to pay loans. At least they should be paid with interest. Please keep mlp out and admit that this is wrong. If the government do not have enough money he should spread this to all his employees and then we will see what happens!!
Charles Camilleri
Sep 6th 2008, 14:44
@ T. Borg. Rest assured that they will get their pay and not time off in lieu as was done during the days of labour Administration. The conditions of the police force have improved a lot since the fracas left over by the labour administration.
t. borg
Sep 6th 2008, 12:37
The police were alarmed not by the bomb but when they saw that even in this month cheque they were not paid for the extra work they performed during last March election.