Transport Malta bomber may have detonated device on site

The transport authority bomber may have detonated his explosive while taking cover at the back of the building, The Times has learnt.

Described as a “simple but effective” device, sources said the bomb was lowered alongside the bastions at the back of the building with a wire and possibly triggered by a string.

The bomb was full of metal fragments meant to cause injury over a wide area.

Experts said the blast was more effective because of the high bastion wall that fronts the big office window where the explosion occurred. The short distance between the window and the wall only made matters worse.

It is unclear whether the explosive material was that commonly used by quarries or fireworks factories but experts pointed out it was possible to concoct explosive material using household chemicals.

The police yesterday questioned a number of people as investigators returned to the scene of the crime scouring the area for any fragments and other clues. Police officers with dogs stood guard at the top part of the pine grove in Pietà from where the bomb is believed to have been lowered.

The police have still to establish the motive and whether the bomb was meant for Konrad Pulè, the chief officer of land transport. The bomb exploded outside his office, which also doubles up as a boardroom. However, the police are also exploring the possibility this could have been a case of mistaken identity given that the director of public transport in the authority has the same surname.

While not going into what happened during the attack, Mr Pulè said: “For the time being I would like to focus my energy and time on my family, friends and colleagues. I have gone to see Peter (Ripard) and his family earlier this (yesterday) afternoon. Their courage and determination, particularly Peter’s, is incredibly inspiring considering the circumstances.

“I have also visited our offices this afternoon and spent some time with my colleagues who are all shocked by what has happened.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have sent supporting messages and made phone calls and I am very grateful to all the people who helped us out in (Thursday’s) operation.”

Meanwhile, Major Ripard,74, a traffic consultant who had one of his legs amputated from above the knee after suffering serious damage in the blast, opened his eyes yesterday morning and even spoke briefly to family members.

Family sources said he was in a semi-conscious state and his condition was still critical.

The blast did not seem to have caused damage to other parts of Maj. Ripard’s body but doctors kept him under observation.

“Ironically, Peter’s first military posting after training at Sandhurst was Belfast in Northern Ireland. He survived the bombs of war and had to be injured by one during retirement age,” the family sources said.

Maj. Ripard was in a meeting in Mr Pulè’s office when the bomb exploded at about 9.55 a.m. on Thursday.

Transport Minister Austin Gatt said he was “shocked” when asked for his reaction to the terror attack.

“The bomb was literally dangled outside the window of Konrad’s office. The proximity is chilling. They were lucky the consequences were not worse. I am shocked,” he said soon after visiting Transport Malta workers at their office in Pietà and Maj. Ripard in hospital yesterday morning.

Dr Gatt was on government business in Brussels when the incident happened.

“It is hard to digest that something like this could happen. Employees feel the work they do there is their duty and that they can be targeted in this way is shocking,” Dr Gatt said.

He described Maj. Ripard as a strong man with a never-say-die attitude, a pillar for the authority even though he retired years ago.

“I met with Mrs Ripard and her children and offered my solidarity not only now but when they have to settle back into normality and Peter will have the challenge of using a prosthesis,” Dr Gatt said.

However, when asked whether security would be stepped up for members of his secretariat, Dr Gatt said this would not be the case in his regard.

“We cannot live with these nightmare scenarios because we will end up not living. At the end of the day, I don’t think our country is that type of place and if there is a violent person he is the exception not the rule,” Dr Gatt said.

Messages of condemnation and solidarity continued pouring in yesterday from various quarters including: the Unscheduled Bus Service, the Union of Professional Employees at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, the Rent A Car Association and unions’ grouping Forum.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com