[WATCH] Businessman, 67, dies in Bugibba car explosion

67-year-old John Camilleri was killed in a car bomb • Video by Ivan Consiglio

A car bomb has gone off in Bugibba, killing a 67-year-old Maltese man from Naxxar who resides in St Paul's Bay.

The well-known businessman, John Camilleri aka Giovann tas-Sapuna, operates in the bathroom and tiles market and owns S&S Bathrooms. He died on site.

Relatives were spotted on site following contact made by the police with his family. A medical team on site was seen assisting the victim's family who were in shock.

The blast hit Bugibba this morning shortly before 7am, with sources saying that the bomb had been placed inside the car, under the driver's seat. The running board, sources added, was pushed down and out. The explosion took place in one of the roads behind the cinema, at a crossroads. The interior of the vehicle, a white Pajero, was completely destroyed and the roof blown off.

MaltaToday reader Ralu Bujor sent in this photo taken moments after the car exploded. People are seen gathering round the car, before the arrival of the police

The white SUV was completely destroyed in the explosion that killed a man (Photo: George Abdilla)

Crime scene investigators on site collecting evidence (Photo by Ivan Consiglio/MaltaToday)

Sources told MaltaToday that the bomb blew up some 10 metres away from where the vehicle came to a halt. The blast threw Camilleri’s body out of the SUV. He had just left his partner's apartment.

Crime scene investigators were scouting the area for any evidence, including checking any surveillance cameras and talking to residents.

Assistant police commissioners Silvio Valletta and Martin Sammut were on site.

Witnesses on site said that they heard a large explosion. It is believed that the man was driving from Triq il-Gwiebi and the device exploded when the car reached Triq Paderborn, corner with Triq il-Gifen, en route to Triq l-Ibhra.

This is the third car bomb explosion this year, after a man was killed in Marsascala in January. A second explosion was reported in September when two men were left injured after an explosive device - operated remotely - went off in Marsa. Sources added that the modus operandi of this morning's explosion was different from these two cases.

The blast occurred at a crossroads in Bugibba (Photo: George Abdilla)

Photo: George Abdilla

Photo by Ralu Bojur, taken a few minutes following the explosion, shows the area cordoned off by the police

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras is leading the inquiry. Investigations by the police are underway.