Update 6 - Car bomb explosion in Hamrun - three hurt
Driver recently released from prison after serving five years for attempted murder
A car was destroyed in an explosion in Canon Bonnici Street, Hamrun, this morning. Three people who were walking nearby were injured but their condition is not thought to be serious.
The car, a red Fiat Fiorino, had just been parked in front of a garage when the massive blast shredded it at about 9.30 a.m. The driver, Keith Galea had just entered his mother's house. It is understood that he was released from prison this week, after having served time for attempted murder. He was originally sentenced to 22 years imprisoned which were later reduced to five years in a case also linked to prostitution.
The explosion was heard over a loud area of Hamrun and Sta Venera and people rushed out of their houses in panic. Debris was scattered across the street. Windows in neighbouring houses were shattered.
The injured were transferred to hospital in a fleet of ambulances as a police investigation was launched. AFM explosives experts are on site. They are trying to establish the nature of the explosive device, its location outside or inside the car, and whether it had a timer. Sources said the form of the wreckage indicated that the bomb could have been inside the vehicle.
People on site said it was fortunate that the explosion had not taken place an hour earlier - when the street would have been full of children going to Our Lady Immaculate School (known as the 'Egyptian' school) just a corner away.
The case is the most serious since a bomb placed on a window of Transport Malta offices at Sa Maison injured consultant Major (rtd) Peter Ripard last December and a letter bomb injured a man in Qormi a year earlier.
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106 Comments
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S.M. Cuschieri
Nov 17th 2011, 14:20
Someone out there seems to be very angry!! I do not blame them....22 years reduced to five is quite a difference. I am just sorry that this occurred near a school. but maybe the bomb was timed to explode at the stated time. And i agree with Mr. Aguis that seeing the wreckage, it does actually seem that the bomb was inside the car. Heq, hope the perpetrator is caught soon. Is it possible no one was caught tampering with this guy's car?
Aaron Vella
Nov 16th 2011, 23:17
22 years reduced to 5 years... no wonder this guy has enemies. But he seems to have nice friends too.. Pathetic.
Victor Vella
Nov 16th 2011, 19:46
By the look of things someone wants this guy out of the way , or has a bone to share with him, in any case whoever did this should play it safe and blow him out peacfully/
James Dewar
Nov 16th 2011, 22:16
Victor, How could that be achieved I wonder ? Seems something of a contradiction!
Paul Caruana
Nov 16th 2011, 17:29
The police need to get to the bottom of this fast.....we cannot have people running around settling scores, and never mind the lives of any innocent who gets in the way of revenge!
KM. Psaila
Nov 16th 2011, 19:38
Thanks for giving your orders so promptly, how can we in Malta do anything if it wasn`t thanks to people like you who take fast action..........................................
Vince Cachia
Nov 16th 2011, 17:02
The car looks like an egg in a microwave oven and that scooter parked just behind it IS INTACT!!!!! I cannot understand it!! I live near by!!
Bogdan Cilia
Nov 16th 2011, 16:34
This is insane !!! or the guy is blacklisted by other crooks in our sick society, or he was attempting revenge and it all went wrong like his 22 years of living! If it wasn't him, the police should find why and who wanted him dead. If it was him, this lunatic donkey should be locked up for life! It is ridiculous, it could have killed an innocent person. Thanks God nobody died due to some crazy fool. Shame to the Judge who gave him 5 years only! ..... Probably because the guy was still under age when he was arrested in the first place.
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Nov 16th 2011, 16:26
(The explosion was heard over a loud area of Hamrun and Sta Venera and people rushed out of their houses in panic.) M ghandiex dubju ehh daqs kemm jis sindikaw il Maltin
KM. Psaila
Nov 16th 2011, 19:41
mhux ovvja sendikajri tant ahna l-maltin, ara li konna amerikani konna nkunu mod iehor, dawk qas hadd ma nduna li settembru ta 2001 kienu splodewlom it-twin towers, u mnalla kelli kugin norvegiz inzerta kien ghaddej minn hemm meta nqalet il-famuza stragi dan is sajf..................................................
Charles Grima
Nov 16th 2011, 16:21
People writing here do not know the difference between justice and revenge.
IF this was done by somebody wanting to get his/her own back, this was revenge through and through....
Chris vella
Nov 16th 2011, 15:40
This is the way most Maltese people Expressing Anger. maybe anger managment will help in prisons schools and work
KM. Psaila
Nov 16th 2011, 19:43
sorry Mr.Vella but the explosions you are talking about are usually feast fireworks, it`s not like we are having a carbomb a week. It could also be that you might be confusing with news in afghanistan
D. A . Agius
Nov 16th 2011, 14:56
Clear that someone thought 22 years reduced to 5 years was NOT a good idea.
Mark Vella
Nov 16th 2011, 14:46
Our Justice system failed yet again..... and so someone decided to take justice in his hands.
Charles Grima
Nov 16th 2011, 16:20
This isn't justice, this is revenge....
J. Scicluna
Nov 16th 2011, 14:41
Did it cross anyone's mind that this might have been a botched-up carriage of a bomb which was to be placed elsewhere and blew up accidentally?
When it comes to conjectures and opinions, imagination has no limits; so why doesn't everyone stop playing at CSI and jumping to conclusions and let the experts draw up their reports!
T Pace
Nov 16th 2011, 17:22
I concur with you that the bomb/explosive was inside the car and placed on the floor of the vehicle.
Had the bomb been beneath the vehicle's floor, the whole vehicle would have been thrown about.
The force of the explosion 'pushed' the lower part of the sides outwards indicating the vertical location of the explosive or vehicle.
Unless there were other items at the back of the vehicle, it would have been difficult for the explosive package not to be noticed by the driver.
W Cassar
Nov 16th 2011, 14:13
Looks like someone taking justice into their own hands!
Im not condoning the act..but Maltese courts need to understand that light sentences will have repercussions. Of course Im not saying its the case here as I do not know the whole story, but it could happen in the future.
Ivan Mizzi
Nov 16th 2011, 13:57
In my opinion, schools should not be located in the proximity of where known criminals live.
Mr Ernest Vella
Nov 16th 2011, 18:01
mela nwaqqaw l-iskejjel ghax il-kriminali kullimkien qeghdin....x'int vojt
raymond scicluna
Nov 16th 2011, 18:30
@Ivan Mizzi
flokk ghidt naraw kif naghmlu biex naghmlu pjazza pulita mid droga specjalment fejn l iskejjel, inresqu l iskejjel. Ara l vera ma nafux x inhi d differenza bejn il profan u s sagru!!Henn ghalina Gesu, henn ghalina
Joe Muscat
Nov 16th 2011, 13:50
The case could also be that the bomb (if indeed a bomb) was being transported by the driver to a specific location......
Another thing. Some people below have commented about Malta becoming dangerous etc. And comparing it to SAFE England......Really? Did someone overcharge these guys while on holiday?
I am not saying crime isn't up...but to label Malta unsafe...You're just being ridiculous...
Peter Agius
Nov 16th 2011, 13:40
Prima facia, the explosion seems to be from the inside of the car to the outside. I have seen car wreckages in the past where the explosive device was placed on the outside or to the underside and it is not comparable. So the comments hereunder are somewhat premature. Just let the investigations take their course. It is not something that can be solved in the first hours of the event.
Jason Scerri
Nov 16th 2011, 13:56
I agree 100% , I've also seen cars when the explosives where placed underneath the car, and the damage is very different. if that was the case then it raises many more questions regarding victims and culprits. Enough said!.
Joseph Calleja
Nov 16th 2011, 14:34
Agree 100%.
Chris Debono
Nov 16th 2011, 14:41
Proset Sur Agius naqbel mijak mija fil mija f'kollox.
Stephen Mangion
Nov 16th 2011, 16:40
Exaclty. Cant agree with you more
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Nov 16th 2011, 13:19
They are alive... they are among us... they are breeding.
charlie cauchi
Nov 16th 2011, 13:12
hawn min qed iparla fil vojt. din hi pagna li jistghu jaqrawa il barranin ukoll li jistgha ikun qed jahsbu biex jigu ghal btala go pajjizna. nitlob l editur ihhassar il kumenti ghax certu nies parlaw wisq fil vojt, u ghamlu mistoqsijiet li jistghu jaghmlu bosta hsara lil pajjiz. din mhux l ewwel darba li sar xi attakk simili fuq xi hadd. ghandna inkunu bil ghaqal bizejjed u inhallu f idejn l awtoritajijiet biex jinvestigaw. tkomplux taghmlu hsara lil pajjizna bil paroli fil vojt.
carmel muscat
Nov 16th 2011, 14:31
andek ragun u naqbel mijjek perfettament
VV Bartolo
Nov 16th 2011, 14:55
mr cauchi huwa fl-interess tal-poplu li jsaqsi x'inhu jigri. barrani jmur u jigi imma cittadin lokali jibqa hawn!! jew forsi ghandek interess personali li jigu t-turisti u ghalhekk qed taghmel dan is-suggeriment? l-ewwel is-sahha u l-harsien mill-periklu mbaghad l-interess tan-negozju!!
charlie cauchi
Nov 16th 2011, 17:01
vv bartolo. jien kull ma jien bicca haddiem u l anqas nahdem fil qasam turistiku nahdem fil qasam tal kostruzjoni. imma huwa fl interess ta kull citadin li ma johloqx panic bla bzonn. mijhux zmien sabih ghal ekonomija, u ghalhekk ma nafordjawx nitilfu min imkien. irridu inkunu responsabli fli niktbu, specjalment fuq siti bhal dawn. mhux l ewwel darba li kien hemm tentativi bhal dawn u mhux l ewwel darba li il bomba hadet u mietu nies inocenti, u kien hemm kazi fejn miet ghal min kien l attentat fuqu. issa li nigu hawn u nibdew insaqsu mistoqsijiet bl ingliz li jistu jidfu dawl ikrah fuq pajjizna jien ma naqbilx.
M Cassar
Nov 16th 2011, 13:03
The front of the car (driver & passenger area) seems to be the least affected area. Was it established whether the bomb was inside or outside of the car? I do know that one should not not compare to tv scenes but people walking over the debris and driving over it seems to be a bit counterproductive! As for sefety.....well.....
Anthony Roberts
Nov 16th 2011, 12:54
Thank God, the driver was not in the car and that no one else was hurt
Christina Pace
Nov 16th 2011, 13:21
Can you read? "The injured were transferred to hospital in a fleet of ambulances "
Carmel camilleri
Nov 16th 2011, 15:38
If the bomb is placed by the driver it is naturally that he won't stay inside the car.
Joe Busuttil
Nov 16th 2011, 12:52
This man was just released from prison.
Maybe someone did not think that he should be roaming the streets so early or at all.
What was he in prison for, anyhow? Making bombs?
C Demanuele
Nov 16th 2011, 13:17
forsi taqra l-artiklu sew?
Joe Xuereb
Nov 16th 2011, 12:46
How sad, and how disturbing. More so because I came into this sad world in house just opposite the 'Egyptian' school. But that was a long time ago, when Malta, and Triq Kanonku Bonnici were different (when the village guy came along with his herd of goats and sold milk straight from the animal).
I hope that the neighbourhood still has the strength to rally round and that the injured will get better soon. This is quite a shock even for me not least because of my connection with the site, albeit a distant one. But where one is born is important still, surely?!
I do not recognise the pavements and the houses. It has been too long. But mention of the school confirmed the street.
E Schembri
Nov 16th 2011, 12:39
It looks like many people are taking the law in their own hands.
I guess this is the result of failed justice system that defends the criminals, rather than the victims!
David Bezzina
Nov 16th 2011, 13:10
EXACTLY ! WELL SAID.
B Attard
Nov 16th 2011, 15:25
Ver Good one. Eventually that what's happening...........u xi kultant donnok ma jibqalekx triq ohra hux?
A Cuschieri
Nov 16th 2011, 16:50
Good guess!
A Bonett
Nov 16th 2011, 12:30
Let's add to the conspiracy theories: what if the bomb was to misguide the police while a theft was being done at St.Joseph High Street ?
Bug Agius
Nov 16th 2011, 13:18
allura bomba jamlu? xi haga vera gravi li setat qatlet xeba nies?
Chris Mifsud
Nov 16th 2011, 12:20
Malta should bring back hard labour in prisons, the death penalty in some cases and zero tolerance for violent crimes. Forget talk about parole etc...
The only way people will ever learn is to show NO TOLERANCE whatsoever, no mercy and have extremely hard punishments. Screw human rights! Violent criminals are NOT humans and do not deserve a place in society.
Kenneth Bonnici
Nov 16th 2011, 13:46
and if they dont learn at least they're locked.
Times of Malta Reader
Nov 16th 2011, 12:13
If criminality is involved (as it seems to be the case), then this is a cowardly and irresponsible act with utter disregard for innocent bystanders and households!
Thank God this happened at around 9.30 am, if it had happened an hour or so earlier this street would have been full of children and parents on their way to school. This stretch of street is just a few metres away from the Immaculate Conception School, whilst two other state schools are closely situated!!
Regards to the victims and all the people living in this normally quiet Hamrun area.
James Tyrrell
Nov 16th 2011, 12:11
People in comments below say that this should be left to the experts to deal with. By experts I assume you mean all the idiots trampling over the crime scene in the video above? The entire area has been compromised so what chance is there of isolating any forensic evidence? Whilst I have the greatest respect for the AFM and the other services I think they need a lesson or two in preserving a crime scene!
Jay Oatmon
Nov 16th 2011, 13:46
I agree - why don't they police use 'NO ENTRY CRIME SCENE' tape to isolate the crime scene.
Murder no problem it seems, with the pathetic justice system here in Malta there will be 10 years even before a trial begins - assuming they catch the bomber.
Gianluca Falzon
Nov 16th 2011, 14:09
I was there you know. I am a Junior College student not far away from there and my mother works as an LSA in the Egyptian school. When I heard what happened I went to the scene and the area was very well isolated. CID personnel were still searching the area carefully for any debris and collecting anything they find while the AFM's EOD unit present was investigating the nature of the explosion. The whole crossraods was cut off with crime scene tapes, and after it was realised this could have an effect on traffic the cut off erea was limited to the street where it happened. I would say the AFM, Civil protection and police did a good job at it.
Giovanni Rizzo
Nov 16th 2011, 14:35
I noticed that tramping too in the video and had the same thoughts as you Mr.Tyrrell.
James Tyrrell
Nov 16th 2011, 21:50
Gianluca I'm just relieved that you and your mum are both okay as it could have been a different story. Having said that you are wrong in thinking that this was handled well. I should know as I've seen enough of them during 30 odd years of troubles in NI. Any evidence which does turn up at the scene will be rubbished in court because all the defence would have to do is show the video and suggest that it could have been transferred by anyone to the scene.
Mario Caruana
Nov 16th 2011, 11:52
to all those who, like me, have children attending Our Lady Immaculate School. All kids are ok and safe. I just called the school.
Twanny Scerri
Nov 16th 2011, 13:43
Thank you
Andreas Moser
Nov 16th 2011, 11:52
I find the timing very suspicious: Why does this happen only 2 days after I announced that I will move to Malta: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/leaving-london-moving-to-malta/ ?
Matthew Grima
Nov 16th 2011, 14:15
Unlucky mate :P It's been raining a lot lately too ;)
Kenneth Baldacchino
Nov 16th 2011, 11:49
My guess is that this was a personal attack aimed at the driver and most probably the bomb should have gone off, when the van was started.
However from the comments below one can well see that some people take utmost joy from such happenings so that they can go on and one about their conspiracy theories and other idiocies!
Deo Catania
Nov 16th 2011, 11:58
You're doing just like them.
Ramon Casha
Nov 16th 2011, 12:05
That's possible of course, but the fact that the car had "just been parked" implies that he had already been driving it, making it more likely that the bomb went off after he parked the car and left it.
James Tyrrell
Nov 16th 2011, 12:43
Kenneth the unfortunate thing about bombs is that they can never be used as a personal surgical type weapon. Even if you take out the intended target innocent people will usually die as well.
Ramon the fact that the van had just been parked means nothing. It takes literally seconds to attach an under car bomb.
Rowena Scicluna
Nov 16th 2011, 12:48
And don't you think that your own guess is also just another conspiracy theory??
Times of Malta Reader
Nov 16th 2011, 12:55
If you look at how the car was opened like a sardines can, one can easily suggest that the bomb was inside the car and not under it!
Deo Catania
Nov 16th 2011, 13:00
"conspiracy theories and other idiocies!".......and what is your guess called? Looks like you know too much about this case or else you're just doing like everyone else.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 16th 2011, 11:47
All this shows that there are crazy people in our midst. The second 'crucified' dog found today at Mosta is another stark reminder that we have crazy people free to roam our streets and they need to be rounded up and locked up. For good.
Jeff Mead
Nov 16th 2011, 11:46
It look like a mighty bang, pity about the car, i hope it can be repaired, if not i wonder if the road tax and insurance (IF ANY) can be reimbursed or perhaps claim a fraction of the value from the gov. in exchange for a new one according to the budget.
James Dewar
Nov 16th 2011, 12:04
Pathetic and sick comments. What if one of your relativesd had been killed or injured as an innocent bystander? Maybe wouldn't have prompted the same response. Strange and worrying how some people adopt such a distorted perspective on such devastating and serious incidents. Almost as strange as the logic appled by the perrpetrator, whatever that may be.
Christina Pace
Nov 16th 2011, 13:32
Are you barking mad? WHat does the government have to do with this?
As if the insurances didn't have enough reasons to avoid paying claims now you go suggesting the government pay their compensations? Mur orqod!
David Smith
Nov 16th 2011, 11:43
If the explosion is the result of some sort of criminal activity, then the surrounding area should be trated as a "scene of the crime", Only bomb experts should have been allowed to make sure that the area is safe, and that no further explosions could occur. Otherwise, no one else should have been allowed in before the forensic team starts and finishes its work. Yet the video shown here shows so many people, including normal police officers, and members of the public, who should never have been allowed even close to the site! So unprofessional. If anyone is ever going to be taken to court, the defence lawyers will have a field day in sowing doubts that the evidence was contaminated.
Iris Baitrman
Nov 16th 2011, 11:40
And yet they tells us back home that Malta is a SAFE COUNTRy! it doesn't look as if thats the case anymore, things ain't what they used to be on the islands, as a matter of fact nowhere is safe anymore in the south of europe or in the north for that matter, this year its Cornwall for us. On a more serious note had there been children in the area at that time, it would have been a disaster for the Maltese, so i guess there are still savages roaming the streets of Malta, same here in the UK no difference.
M. Bezzina
Nov 16th 2011, 14:25
No problem Iris no one has sent for you to come here I am very sorry to be rude whatever you can call me!!!
Paul Smith
Nov 16th 2011, 11:37
some smart Ass was telling me yesterday on another TOM blog/news story that The UK was far more dangerous for crime than Malta - but every week we read about attacks, robberies murder child peadophilia and now car bombs
My little English town seems far safer educated and mature compared to Malta
Jeff Mead
Nov 16th 2011, 12:19
Yes i can believe that PaulSmith, we read alot of news as how bad and dangerous the UK is, but the media tend to exagerate news is blown out proportion, but for little Malta its a complete disaster for many foreigners residing here,because believe me if there are any disputes with any foreingers on the island and i personally witnessed it myself back in the 60's when the Maltese government of that time booted all our forces out the island, it was really dangerous then for us british and my guess is that most would be targeted in no time at all, so all in all Malta is not a safe country as they make it out to be, sorry friends but thats the way i see it, history tend to repeat itself maybe not on the same scale as 40 odd years ago.
fred newsome
Nov 16th 2011, 12:32
You are right Paul crime is coming along nicely in Malta but to hear some people talk its all committed by foreigners
John Said
Nov 16th 2011, 17:00
Dear gentlemen, I am Maltese, but I also spent a few years in the UK, and I can say that I feel much safer in Malta than in the UK. I would like to ask you how many murders occur per year, how many aggressions you have per year? I can assure you that per capita there is no comparison between the two countries. In Malta the risk of terrorism attacks are close to zero, can’t say the same for the UK. This man is a criminal and hence made part of a criminal group or organization, and what else do you expect from this kind of people.
As you say birds of a feather flock together, if you do not look for trouble there is a bigger chance that you can live peacefully in Malta more than in any country. Unfortunately mishaps can happen to anyone irrelevantly which country he is living in, you can be burgled even if you live in the Vatican.
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Nov 16th 2011, 11:28
Kemm aw min hu Looser flokk jikonfronta lil dak lil persuna ikoncernatta jitfa fil periklu il hajja ta hddiehor,
U btw imaginaw li kieku dil bomba sehhet that gvern laburista....
J. Camilleri
Nov 16th 2011, 11:25
Hekk mhux sewwa! Alla hares kienu ghadejjin dawk l-angli iz-zghar tal-iskola.
Eric Camilleri
Nov 16th 2011, 11:25
Comments here below are unbeleivable !!! Mr Joseph Grima you take the paranoia top prize.
This incident could be anything but the way the sealed van tore up it looks more like a gaseous explosion.
D Mifsud
Nov 16th 2011, 11:22
I am fleeing to Libya
John Borg
Nov 16th 2011, 16:01
Maybe your trying to say a joke but, Belive me Mr. Mifsud Libya is much Safer....And Im sure of what Im saying.....At least in libya you know who is the Enemy, in Malta you dont know....
Jan Willem van Avendonk
Nov 16th 2011, 11:18
Could this be considered as a terroristic act ?
Ian Vella
Nov 16th 2011, 11:42
This was NOT a 'terroristic' act per se since this was probably directed at one particular person (altough bystanders were also hit)
definition of a terrorist act:
A Terrorist act is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion.
(source - merriam-webster.com)
Luckily this does not seem to have anything to do with terrorism!!
Joe Morana
Nov 16th 2011, 12:39
@ Ian Vella:
Of course it's terrorism! Since the driver got away with driving a 'moving bomb', it could have been either a car bombing gone wrong, or it could have been meant to serve as a warning to the driver. From what I can gather from 'local news', there is more to this incident than a mere a 'car explosion'!
John Azzopoardi
Nov 16th 2011, 11:14
Things do take a long time to study and make a conclusion.. But let us hope the findings are made public to the maltese. People who do such things are spineless worthless individuals. I wonder what teh message was.
C Demanuele
Nov 16th 2011, 11:14
many people watch too much CSI it seems.
let the police do their job for heaven's sake!!!
A FARRUGIA
Nov 16th 2011, 11:06
Hadd ma jahseb f min ikun ghaddej dak il hin.
Criss Camilleri
Nov 16th 2011, 11:04
A COWARDLY act indeed. Coward for a million times.
Ramon Casha
Nov 16th 2011, 11:01
Can we assume that the driver is now "helping the police in their investigations"?
J. Micallef
Nov 16th 2011, 10:56
I heard it from Junior College.
Neil Dent
Nov 16th 2011, 10:54
PLEASE - none of the usual armchair experts on this one? Leave it to the real ones if you don't mind.
Joseph Grima
Nov 16th 2011, 10:51
This is very serious. People are entitled to know what the source of this explosion was so that individually , everyone will be able to judge what the country is facing. Was this personal targeting? Was this an attempt at national destabilisation? is this a local affair or is it something else? The authorities are duty bound to make a statement revealing all the facts as soon as the facts are known. no time to waste
R ferriggi
Nov 16th 2011, 11:23
bilmod siehbi.....
kemm int mghaggel...
H. Psaila
Nov 16th 2011, 11:37
This is serious, but we had been accustomed to these kind of threats whilst your government was in power (sorry to mention it) but it is a fact. If it was not a car bomb but burning of buildings, looting and ramsacking of clubs and police action was never ever taken. So, why all the fuss now dear Joe.
Ian Vella
Nov 16th 2011, 11:48
@Joseph Grima "Was this an attempt at national destabilisation?"
wow... let's not rush to conclusions.... the most probably explanation is that the person who just got out of jail had some 'friends' who were waiting for him and gave him a 'warm' welcome.
Albert Debono
Nov 16th 2011, 11:52
take a break!...and indeed provide us with one!
Joseph Grima
Nov 16th 2011, 13:45
H.Psaila. Typical nationalist back-to-the-wall seige mentality. The only suggestion I can make to people
Ike Psaila caught in a 30 year old time warp is that if you know someone who committed these acts, to go to directly the police. It will not earn Psaila any Brownie points by referring to the mentioned acts happening during the time of "my government". My job in that government was first to save the nation's industries from a terrible European recession. Psaila should look up the figures to realise whether my efforts and those of my collaborators were successful or not. A simple subtraction from the industries we had when I left the ministry from those I found when I arrived in 1981 will be enough. My next job was to save an ailing Tourism
industry from extinction. Again the figures speak for themselves. When I was appointed Mi inter of Tourism arrivals were at 464023 and dying a slow death. I left the industry with an arrivals figure of 787501 arrivals , an increase of 26 percent over the arrival figures of the previous years. Earnings from tourism in the last year I spent as minister of tourism were up by 30 percent over the previous year - an al-time record.
That is my answer to the likes of Psaila and to those others who have attempted to hijack my record as minister over the years, some who bear rancour to this day for having been shown up as false prophets when my results grossly outstripped their "scientific" predictions. The rest is just tripe, jealousy and rancour that will simply not lie down even after all these years. Get a life Mr Psaila and with you those false gurus who continue to pontificate to those who do not know them as well as I do.
H. Psaila
Nov 17th 2011, 08:46
@Joseph Grima - Thanks for replying but it seems you took it quite serious when the comment was not accusing you personally but the Labour government. Maybe I am caught on an old time warp because the scar in my memory inflicted by those atrocities is still there and I am not the only that remembers those dark days.
I can take any kind of comment with a pinch of salt, but this does not apply to you as you are too sensitive and took it hard upon yourself with just a simple comment that you were never accused personally. Have a good time and by the way, I have a very good life.
Jean Cortis
Nov 16th 2011, 10:39
I heard it from University. Hoping that the injured will recover soon
Mario Spiteri
Nov 16th 2011, 10:37
Easy guys....let the professional forensic team have a good look before blabbering out comments and dishing out verdicts.
Mr Michael Adamek
Nov 16th 2011, 10:35
There are various theories about the why and wherefore of this attack,but not confirmed yet. From my experience of the Maltese people this nonsense will be quickly nipped in the bud.
Debbie Bonello
Nov 16th 2011, 10:30
Qed nispiccaw qisna qeghdin Benghazi!!!! :/
Jay Oatmon
Nov 16th 2011, 10:24
Is this another arson case gone wrong, or do we have actually have a 'nutter bomber' on the loose?
A forensic examination of the device/car should provide the required information and help find the criminal involved (does Malta have forensic capabilities?).
Alexander Farrugia
Nov 16th 2011, 10:37
Yes, it has.
Rowena Scicluna
Nov 16th 2011, 10:44
Of course we have forensic capabilities! And where we don't, we have liaisons with other countries! It's not like we're at the Back of Beyond here! Jeez....
Christina Pace
Nov 16th 2011, 13:18
No ta! We take people to court without forensic evidence and we get convictions solely based on hear-say and susoicion :S
pOf Course we have forensic capabilities. Where do you think we are? the middle ages jew?