Police question suspects over TM bombing

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Traffic expert Major Peter Ripard has been reported to be recovering well in hospital following major surgery that led to the amputation of his left foot, after he was struck by shrapnel in a bomb blast yesterday at TM offices in San Maison.

He has recieved visits in hospital by the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Transport Minister Austin Gatt and Archbishop Paul Cremona.

Meanwhile investigators have rounded up a number of suspects as they search for the motive behind the attack which initially indicate that was intended for TM official Konrad Pule'.

Sources have confirmed that all suspects are being thoroughly swabbed for explosives residue on their hands. At least five people have been questioned over the last 12 hours, and are known for their expertise in bomb-making.

Forensic experts have confirmed that an explosive device lowered down a back shaft that supports a boundary wall from the San Maison pinetum, was the cause of the explosion that injured Maj. Ripard.

According to a statement issued yesterday by Minister Austin Gatt, the police are focusing on the theory that the attack was "planned" and specifically intended to maim or kill TM Chief Officer Konrad Pule, who was slightly injured in the attack.

The explosion - similar to a feast petard - was reportedly loud as it echoed between the shaft walls where it was lowered and left to hang by an unidentified person, and was heard as far as Manoel Island.

The explosion – initially rumored to be a parcel bomb – happened in an office on the third floor of Transport Malta’s offices in Pieta’ while a teleconference was underway between TM officials from different departments.

Previous reports that Transport Malta Chief Executive Stanley Portelli was injured in the blast proved to be incorrect.

MaltaToday is informed that the explosion happened within the Land Transport section of TM which handles the administration and enforcement of public transport that includes buses, taxis and minibuses.

75 year-old traffic control expert Major Peter Ripard sustained serious injuries to his limbs, while the second official, Conrad Pule' - popularly known as the frontman of rock band Scar - has sustained slight injuries.

A police statement said that three other people were admitted to Mater Dei Hospital and were receiving treatment, some for shock, others for glass and steel shrapnel from the blast.

A number of forensic experts together with bomb experts from the Armed Forces returned to comb the 'Pinetum' grounds behind the TM offices this morning, and were observed photographing and gathering evidence from a boundary wall close to a dirt road behind the building.

CCTV footage from nearby establishments has been seized by police.

According to sources, a barbed wire fence along the boundary wall was breached, from where a rope to trigger the device was also lowered down the shaft to a window where Konrad Pule's office is situated on the back side of the building.

Police Commissioner John Rizzo together with the head of CID investigations Assistant Commissioner Pierre Calleja are leading the investigations.

Minister Gatt condemns attack on TM officials

In a statement, Transport minister Austin Gatt who returned to Malta from in Brussels last night after attending an EU Transport Council meeting, condemned the attack on Transport Malta officials.

He expressed solidarity with Major Peter Ripard and Konrad Pule.

While explaining that he is in constant contact with the police, who have informed him that the attack was 'planned' by so far unknown suspects, Austin Gatt condemned the attack and stressed that the only guilt public officers have is that they do their jobs with responsability and a high sense of public service.

TM expresses solidatity with it's officials

In a separate statement, Transport Malta expressed solidarity with it's officials, Chief Officer Konrad Puli and Maj. Peter Ripard who were injured in the attack.

TM said that while police investigations are ongoing, a thorough exercise has been conducted throughout all of its offices in a bid to guarantee security for all its staff.

It has also established a permanent police presence in all of its offices around the island, and today, Friday all is returning to normal in all its offices.

Meanwhile, psychiatric assistance is being offered to all members of staff who have been affected by the blast.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NESTOR LAIVIERA AND MIRIAM DALLI

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