Zachary Street closed off after bomb scare

An AFM explosive ordnance disposal team has responded to a report of a suspicious bag in Zachary street, Valletta this morning, amid heightened paranoia following the recent terrorist attacks in Belgium and this morning's explosion at Armier.

The location of the abandoned rucksack – opposite St. John's Cathedral, where the funeral of Mons. Joseph Mercieca will take place later today – made the area a plausible target.

A sizeable crowd of onlookers gathered to observe the bomb disposal expert as he examined the black rucksack, first using scanners and after that, by hand.

Fortunately, nothing dangerous was found this time and the road was reopened to the public, the all-clear being greeted with applause from the crowd.