Updated | Blast killed Martin Cachia, autopsy concludes

An autopsy carried out on Martin Cachia’s body concluded that the man died as a result of the blast.

The explosives were placed at the back. Investigators have yet to determine what sort of explosive or device went off, which would further explain what could have happened.

Cachia was killed on Saturday morning following a car bomb explosion. The car caught fire, with the blast forcing the red Alfa Romeo he was driving to crash into a wall on the Marsascala bypass.

The cause of his death was determined by an autopsy as investigators are trying to establish whether Cachia – registered as a fisherman – was the victim of a murder or whether he was transporting the explosive/s.

“All avenues are open: it so far appears that the explosives were inside the car and we have to investigate why. We cannot as yet call it a homicide,” Assistant Commissioner Silvio Valletta told a crime conference.

Cachia, 56, was registered as a fisherman and had pending court cases. He was investigated over drug trafficking, human smuggling and contraband cigarettes and was part of a probe into the smuggling of fuel from Libya. Because of his pending human trafficking case, Cachia also had to sign the bail book every day.

Although he was living in Bugibba, Cachia was known to visit Marsascala habitually “to take long walks”.