Although details are still sketchy at best, police and court experts believe that the diver was carrying out a routine maintenance check on the vessel, particularly searching for barnacles that had attached themselves to the hull.

The tragic incident took place at about 9.30am when the 40-year-old diver, who lived with his Belgian wife in Swieqi, was searching the forward section of the massive cargo ship.

It is understood that, for reasons still unknown, the vessel’s bow thrusters were suddenly activated. The diver was caught in the prop-wash and sucked into the propellers.

Experts told this newspaper that he died quickly. The bow thrusters are used when a ship is manoeuvring in port.

The vessel was not thought to be leaving the Freeport as it was scheduled for maintenance for the whole of the morning at least. Investigations have not yet established why the thrusters were activated as the ship was in fact moored to the quayside.

The police and Civil Protection Department personnel rushed to the scene to lift the scattered remains of the diver out of the water. His remains were taken to the St Luke’s mortuary for a post-mortem. Duty magistrate Miriam Hayman was informed of the incident and appointed a number of experts including Richard Aquilina, Simon Micallef Stafrace and Ivan Lanfranco to assist in an in-depth on-site inquiry.

It is understood that the ship’s German captain and other witnesses testified in the initial stages of the inquiry after an urgent request was made to have the law courts opened.

Sources told this newspaper that the owners of the shipping company are due to come to Malta today as the vessel will not be allowed to leave Maltese waters until the inquiry is concluded. The Birzebbuga District police are investigating