Updated | Bomb disposal unit inspect cars of victim's brother, partner

The Explosives Ordinance Disposal unit conducted a search of Darren Degabriele's brother's car in the village of Ghaxaq, earlier this evening, on suspicion of explosives inside the vehicle.

The search was conducted with the assistance of police officers and the police dogs’ section.

It was the second search conducted today by the EOD, after the bomb disposal unit searched the car of Stephanie Tonna, 28, which was parked in Marsaxlokk, after Monday’s car bomb attack.

The explosion targeted her partner Darren Degabriele, who is in danger of losing his life.

In both searches, no traces of explosives were found.

Degabriele, 35 of Hal Ghaxaq, was injured in the blast from his car after a bomb detonated. Preliminary investigations suggest that the bomb was tied to the vehicle’s outer chassis, placed underneath the passenger’s seat. Witnesses said the driver and the passenger got out of the car before collapsing onto the road, in Zejtun Road, Marsaxlokk.
Degabriele, owner of the Gente di Mare restaurant in Marsaxlokk, was hospitalised, suffering from grievous injuries and is in danger of dying. He is also a director-shareholder of Degabriele Fuels.