Injured traffic expert's condition improves - PM, Archbishop, minister call

The medical condition of Transport Malta consultant Major Peter Ripard has improved, and he was able to have conversations with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Archbishop Paul Cremona, who visited him last night, and Transport Minister Austin Gatt, who called at Mater Dei Hospital this morning.

Major Ripard, 74, a long-serving traffic expert, lost part of his left leg in an explosion at the Transport Malta office at Sa Maison Hill yesterday morning.

Konrad Pule', who heads the TM land transport section, has been discharged from hospital after being treated for his injuries.

The bomb, lowered from gardens located on a hill behind the Transport Malta building, exploded outside Mr Pule's office window on the second floor.

The blast was so powerful, that it shattered glass at the reception desk on the ground floor, and terrified all workers.

People reported hearing the blast as far away at Hamrun and Mater Dei Hospital.

All Transport Malta offices opened at usual today, having been closed and searched as a precaution yesterday. Officers from the Police Special Assignment Group have been posted to all of them as security is stepped up.

Meanwhile, workers at the Sa Maison office are being given psychological support by Transport Malta.

Transport Minister Austin Gatt, who was at a Transport Ministers' meeting in Brussels yesterday, will be visiting the offices to meet the workers this morning.

Policemen and forensics and explosives experts have also returned to the scene to look for further clues into what appears to have been a well-planned operation.