The restaurateur who suffered severe burns in a car bomb explosion on Sunday succumbed to his injuries yesterday.

Darren Degabriele, 35, died late in the afternoon at Mater Dei Hospital where he had been fighting for his life.

Mr Degabriele, together with his partner, Stephanie Tonna, 28, had left Għaxaq 10 minutes before the blast occurred after dropping in on the village feast.

The explosion occurred at 4pm in Żejtun Road, Marsaxlokk, and it was Ms Tonna, a qualified nurse, who gave first aid to the victim, who suffered burns to about 55 per cent of his body.

Investigators suspect it was a home-made device detonated remotely

The following day, Ms Tonna posted a photograph on Facebook and wrote: “The latest picture we have together, taken last week... Dar we have to take loads more ta plsss xxxxx.”

The police believe the bomb had been planted on the chassis of his Mitsubishi Pajero on the driver’s side. Investigators suspect it was a home-made device detonated remotely.

Mr Degabriele’s sister, Mireille, told Times of Malta he had probably been ejected from the vehicle by the blast and remained conscious throughout the ordeal.