An apparent attempt to rob the Swieqi branch of HSBC was thwarted by the police today, after the discovery of an unfinished tunnel which would have led from a nearby garage to the bank’s vaults.

The police had been tipped off about plans to rob the bank branch on St Andrews’ Road in question weeks ago, and their investigations led to a garage complex on the corner between Triq il-Qatta and Triq it-Tiben, just opposite the bank branch’s rear entrance.

Police officers searched the garage complex earlier today, and discovered that a tunnel was being excavated in one of the garages.

The tunnel, with an approximate diameter of 125-150cm, went under Triq it-Tiben and had reached a length of 15m.

It was just a few metres away from one of the bank’s vaults, and the police are convinced that the aim was for the perpetrators to make off with its contents.

The police are still trying to determine who is behind the apparent attempted bank robbery, while Magistrate Audrey Demicoli is leading an inquiry.