Salvatore Di Prima, suspected of seriously injuring his two children near the White Rocks complex on Saturday night, has been found and arrested by the police.

The 49-year-old Italian man was arrested at around 7pm on Tuesday following a delicate operation carried out by the Police in the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq area, police said.

"This arrest was made possible after days of intensive investigations and searches by the Police, with the assistance of the Civil Protection Department and the Armed Forces of Malta. Police investigations in relation to this case are still ongoing," police said.

The suspect's mobile phone was previously discovered by investigators on the rocks in the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq area.

The case emerged late on Saturday evening when police received a call at around 10pm reporting an attempted murder near the White Rocks complex, reports had read. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 12-year-old boy suffering from grievous injuries. His 10-year-old sister had managed to escape and raise the alarm.

Both children were taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment. Reports indicated that the boy sustained injuries compatible with being struck by stones, while the girl had choke marks around her neck.

The police on Sunday released a photograph of the man and appealed to the public for information on his whereabouts.

Police confirmed to Times of Malta that both Di Prima and his estranged wife had filed harassment reports against each other on February 22 and February 26. These reports were made to the police's domestic violence unit but did not indicate domestic violence or abuse involving the children.

Following Saturday's incident, sources said the children's mother filed for an urgent protection order.