Cars Pile Up As Gozo Ferry Services Close Due To Bomb Threat And Operations Return To Normal Soon After
The Gozo ferry services were temporarily closed due to a bomb threat yesterday evening.
Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri announced the sudden closure on Facebook at 7.15pm, yesterday evening. Meanwhile, cars were already piling up the roads leading up Mġarr, Gozo and Ċirkewwa.
“The Gozo Channel services will be temporarily suspended due to a bomb threat,” said Camilleri in the post, “investigations are currently being carried out.”
In footage and images circulating the internet, commuters and residents alike expressed their shock and frustration, showing the long queues forming in the late hours of the day.
Luckily, later in the evening, after thorough investigations by the Armed Forces of Malta’s (AFM) Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, the areas were deemed safe and operations soon returned to normal around two hours later at 9.15pm.
“EOD teams conducted thorough searches both underwater and, on all vessels, to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The search operations were completed successfully and resulted negative,” said the AFM in an official statement, “All ferry operations have resumed normal service. The AFM thanks the public for their cooperation and patience during this operation, prioritising the safety and security of all passengers.”
Were you stuck in this traffic jam?
Photos via Maltese Roads Traffic Updates / Clint Camilleri on Facebook
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