Turkish woman killed as car slams into restaurant in Malta

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) – A Turkish woman was killed in Malta when a car ploughed into a restaurant after midnight on Wednesday, local media reported.

The 33-year-old driver was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he first caused harm to an oil station and then smashed his black car into a restaurant in the eastern city of Gzira around 1 a.m. (0000GMT) on Thursday, according to daily Times of Malta.

The Turkish woman was celebrating her 30th birthday in the restaurant when she got hit by the car.

The driver got out of the car and threw stones at the woman, also blocking those who tried to rescue her, according to eyewitnesses.

He also resisted the security forces and was neutralized with a taser.

The Turkish woman succumbed to her injuries in hospital.

Tests run on the driver, a Maltese-French citizen named Jeremie Camilleri, proved high levels of alcohol and cocaine in his blood, according to the daily.

The driver and the victim did not know each other, it also said, adding that Camilleri was already on probation for theft.

An Anadolu correspondent learned that the Turkish Embassy in Valletta is following the case closely and in contact with Maltese authorities.

* Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara