Bomb hoax forces evacuation at Bank of Valletta HQ

The head office of Bank of Valletta at Fleur-de-Lys was evacuated for an hour this afternoon after a bomb threat which turned out to be a hoax. Sources said that the threat was made in a phone call to police headquarters at about 3.35 p.m. AFM bomb...

The head office of Bank of Valletta at Fleur-de-Lys was evacuated for an hour this afternoon after a bomb threat which turned out to be a hoax.

Sources said that the threat was made in a phone call to police headquarters at about 3.35 p.m.

AFM bomb disposal experts searched the large premises while the 400 workers who work there gathered in a playground opposite the building. Although most of the workers finish work at 4 p.m., they could not leave since they had no access to the underground garage.

Also on the scene were SAG police and members of the Civil Protection Department.

The road from Fleur-de-Lys roundabout to Qormi was closed and a big traffic jam formed.

The all-clear was given at about 4.35 p.m.

CEO Tonio Depasquale regretted the waste of time and the inconvenience but said the bank had to take all safety precautions.

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