[WATCH] Man loses both legs in Msida car bomb attack

 A 40-year-old man from Floriana has been critically injured after a car exploded in Msida, close to the Workers' Monument.

The victim, who has lost both legs in the explosion, has been identified as Romeo Bone. Only last year, Bone was cleared of participating in the 2007 Portomaso jewellery heist. He also faced a court case on stalking charges with intent to kill a police officer – who was a star witness in another case.

The explosion took place at around 10.30am, causing traffic chaos in the area. The junction is one of the busiest roads in Malta. Witnesses said that Bone was dragged away from the car by passers-by who also reported that he was conscious and was able to identify himself. 

The man was driving a Renault Scenic with witnesses reporting hearing a loud explosion before the car went up in flames. 

Two other persons – a 27-year-old man and a 25-year-old girl both from Haz-Zabbar – have been hospitalised. It is unclear whether they were pedestrians. The police’s communications office said the two were hospitalised from shock suffered. Three other persons were also hospitalised suffering from shock

The cause of the explosion has not been officially confirmed, although it’s suspected that this is yet another car bomb. The police’s communications office said it was too early to determine the cause.

Two cars – one in front of the Renault and one behind it – sustained damages.

Romeo Bone – known to the police

Bone is a convicted criminal, who was even charged with stalking a police officer. The charges had been dropped.

He was also investigated in the murder of Gozitan businessman Joe Baldacchino, after a piece of paper with a scrawled note of the victim’s car licence plate number was found in his car. Baldacchino was fatally shot shortly after he had parked his car in Valletta on 23 November 2010, and died one month later after clinging to life in intensive care.

Bone had been listed as a suspect, but investigators could not gather proof to put him at the scene of the crime or show that he had any connection to Baldacchino.

Bone had also been accused of carrying out the armed robbery of the Luxe Pavilion Diamonds International outlet in Portomaso, St Julian’s in February 2007, in which almost €233,000 worth of jewellery was stolen. However the court had ruled that none of the accusations levelled against Bone had been sufficiently proven, clearing him of the charges.