Updated - More video footage
The police confirmed this afternoon that an explosion at Transport Malta offices in Sa Maison Hill this morning was caused by a bomb which was lowered from the wooded area - known as the Pinetum - behind the building.
The blast seriously injured veteran traffic expert Major (rtd) Peter Ripard - who suffered severe leg injuries. His injuries are not life threatening. Another ADT official, Konrad Pule' was also slightly injured.
The police said another man and woman were treated in hospital.
The explosion took place at 10 am. The injured were in a second floor office at the time and are thought to have been injured by shattering glass.
Informed sources said the police and army explosives experts are investigating the possibility that the bomb may have had a timer attached to it.
Forensics experts are scouring the Pinetum for clues and CCTV footage from near-by establishments has been seized.
However it appears that the cameras attached to the TM building itself may have been turned inward.
No major structural damage was evident from outside the building.
Civil Protection Department rescuers, ambulance crews and the police arrived on the scene within minutes of the blast. One of the ambulances rushed back to Mater Dei Hospital under police escort.
Transport Malta staff were evacuated and the building was searched by officers of the Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit. Some workers were treated for shock and assisted with breathing apparatus outside the office. Officials made a roll call of employees.
Other Transport Malta offices were also searched. The workers were sent home for the day.
A spokesman for the Transport Ministry when asked if any threats had been made, said that in an authority such as TM, threats were never in short supply but there were no specific threat of an attack of this nature.
The spokesman said the Prime Minister and Transport Minister Austin Gatt (who is abroad) were being updated.
The GWU and the UHM in a statement condemned the incident.
mynews@timesofmalta.com