Ishmael Muscat.

Relatives of Ishmael Muscat, the cyclist who was killed in an accident in China last week, have thanked the Prime Minister for his help as they wait for the Chinese authorities to release his body.

Mr Muscat, 32, was riding his bicycle when he was hit by a car in the eastern Chinese city of Hefei, where he lived, on Wednesday. He died shortly afterwards and sources indicated Chinese authorities were treating the collision as an accident.

In a statement the family thanked Dr Muscat for taking immediate steps to ensure assistance from the Maltese authorities in Beijing.

The family also thanked Reno Calleja, Malta China Friendship Society president, for his own help.

On Friday Ishmael’s father, Francis Muscat, met the Chinese delegation invited by Mr Calleja, which contacted Ishmael’s wife Xu Mei.

Relatives were told the police investigation would take around 20 days but they do not yet know when his body will be released.

A semi-professional cyclist who also taught business English to Chinese professionals, Mr Muscat moved to China six years ago, relocating to Hefei in early 2012 with his Chinese wife.

His aunt Catherine Sciberras described him as always determined to reach his goals no matter if it was in studies, career, cycling or personal life.

“For the family, Ishmael was considered as an adventurous person who never gave up very easily,” she said.