Two Maltese tourists – a father and son – in western Sicily were involved in an accident which led to the death of two motorcyclists yesterday afternoon, although they were not seriously injured.

Elio Barbera, a 30-year-old from Trapani, and 23-year-old Davide Sanna, from the adjacent town of Paceco, died on impact in an accident which occurred on the provincial road between Trapani and Marsala.

The two friends were riding a Yamaha 600 at some speed when they crashed head-on into the Honda Accord which the Maltese were driving. They are reported not to have been wearing crash helmets.

The accident took place at a junction, while the Honda was taking a left turn towards a commercial centre.

Despite the impact, which extensively damaged their car, the Maltese men were variously reported to be unhurt or to have sustained only slight injuries, although they were reported to be suffering from shock.