European Commissioner Frans Timmermans and Maltese MEPs take part in a vigil in Brussels yesterday in memory of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Photo: Reuters

Investigators have found what looked like the remains of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s laptop, as well as equipment used to trigger the bomb that killed the journalist.

Sources said the bomb was likely triggered using a mobile phone, and investigators hope this will help locate where the killer was when the fatal call was made.

Triangulation data was being reviewed to try to establish the location of calls made in that area at the time of the explosion.

The laptop was badly burnt and mangled, due to the power of the explosion and the ensuing fire, but investigators were hoping to still retrieve any possible information. Investigators were also analysing other electronic equipment found at Ms Caruana Galizia’s house. 

The laptop was badly burnt and mangled

Meanwhile, other sources said the bomb was believed to have been attached to the bottom of the vehicle beneath the front passenger side.  

Investigators said Ms Caruana Galizia had not parked her car in her private driveway before setting off on her ill-fated journey and had instead left it in a small alley leading to her home. “At this point we are focusing on her last movements and whereabouts prior to the blast. The investigation, however, is still in its early stages,” the investigators said. 

The bomb is believed by police experts to have consisted primarily of Semtex – a powerful plastic explosive not used locally in previous car bomb incidents.

The damage to the crumpled car indicated that around half a kilo of the explosive had been packed into the bomb. 

The 1988 Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am flight 103 used a similar amount of the same explosive.