A man suspected of making a bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax was arrested yesterday.

The caller, who contacted the Floriana police headquarters, apparently wanted to delay the departure of the Jean de la Valette catamaran, scheduled to leave Pozzallo, Sicily at 7.30 a.m. on Wednesday, so two late-arriving passengers, who it seems had no idea about the call, would not miss the boat, sources said.

All 163 passengers and 30 vehicles were taken off the catamaran and a search was conducted onboard, delaying the departure by four hours.

The waiting passengers were hosted in Pozzallo’s Welcome Centre, where they were given a complimentary meal.

A person on board the boat said there was no panic, adding Virtù Ferries handled the incident well.

The catamaran arrived in Malta at 1.15 a.m. yesterday.

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