An autopsy has confirmed that Martin Cachia, who was killed in an explosion in his car on Saturday, died as a result of the blast and not the resultant fire.

The bomb blew up as the father-of-four was driving along the Marsascala bypass.

The victim, Martin Cachia

The bomb was inside the car, although it is still not clear whether it was placed there by an unknown person, or was being transported. 

The victim, who had a pending court case linked to human trafficking and signed the bail book every day, was known to the police in relation to drug cases and cigarette smuggling.

The car, a red Alfa, was not registered in Mr Cachia’s name, but it was a car he drove regularly.