[WATCH] Thousands flock to vigil in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia

Thousands flock to vigil in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia

Over a thousand people attended a vigil organised this evening in honour of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was murdered on Monday afternoon.

People holding candles started to congregate on the Sliema front close to Exiles, eventually walking together up to St Julian's, flooding the Sliema promenade all the way from Exiles to the LOVE sign in Spinola.

Many of those in attendance were visibly in shock at the day's events, expressing their disbelief that a journalist could be murdered in such a way in Malta.

Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb this afternoon as she was driving away from her home in Bidnija. It is believed to be one of the most powerful car bombs ever.

The assassination was the fifth this year, and the first to target an individual not known to be involved with criminal networks by the police.

News of the journalist's murder quickly spread with condolences pouring in from all over the island and beyond.

Public figures and politicians on both sides of the political divide condemned the barbaric attack against a member of the press, with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insisting this was an attack on freedom of expression in Malta.

Photos: James Bianchi

People attending vigil in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia

READ MORE: Who was Daphne Caruana Galizia?
A dark day for democracy: shocked reactions at the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia​

Upon arriving in Spinola, people poured onto the road and started clapping in honour of the slain journalist.  

Addressing the crowd on behalf of Caruana Galizia’s son, Matthew, family friend Luke Frendo said that Caruana Galizia was “not only a journalist but an absolutely fearless human being, but the fourth pillar of our democracy”.

“Today’s heinous crime was not only one against a human being and a journalist but against a pillar of everyone’s democracy,” he said, adding that he was certain her life was not for nothing.

Family friend Luke Frendo described Caruana Galizia as fearless human being and the fourth pillar of the country's democracy

“If there’s one thing that Daphne represented, and that I think she would have wanted us to hold true today, is that the fight that she’s been fighting for as long as I’ve been alive for justice is continued and fought everyday by us. It doesn’t end with her despicable murder.”  

The crowd, then started chanting we want justice, before collectively singing the national anthem.

From left to right: Robert Arrigo, Kristina Chetcuti and Simon Busuttil, Mario De Marco and Adrian Delia

Among those present for the vigil were Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia, his predecessor Simon Busuttil and partner Kristina Chetcuti, PN deputy leaders Beppe Fenech Adami and Mario de Marco, MPs Edwin Vassallo, Hermann Schiavone, David Stellini, Kristy Debono, David Agius, Toni Bezzina and Robert Arrigo.

PN executive council president Ann Fenech, former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, as well as Labour Party CEO Randolph Debattista, the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the EU Cryus Engerer and a number of other public figures and politicians were also in attendance.