The police have asked the public not to be alarmed by the sight of 'military' vehicles seen on the roads, pictures of which have also turned up on Facebook.

The only shooting that is taking place is film-shooting.

Transport Malta yesterday gave notice that busy Rue D'Argens will be closed off for three days – starting tomorrow – during the evening rush hour to make way for the film crew of The Tempest.

Rue d’Argens and Msida Road will be closed for traffic tomorrow, Thursday and Friday between 5.30pm and 5am to film a car chase. Pyrotechnics are expected to be used during filming.

Gżira mayor Konrad Borg Manché said Transport Malta would be coordinating alternative routes to ensure traffic flows uninterruptedly. Residents would not be able to park in the shooting location.

“The area being closed off is relatively small; it is the part of Gżira next to the old stadium,” Mr Borg Manché said. 

Gżira residents who called Times of Malta complaining after they received a letter from the council informing them about the shooting wondered whether they would be compensated for the inconvenience.

Mr Borg Manché said the council would be getting “a small compensation” and residents who faced any difficulties should approach the council.

The film, in which Gżira will be doubling up as Benghazi, is produced by Paramount and directed by Michael Bay, known for his Hollywood blockbusters such as Transformers, Armageddon, Pearl Harbour, The Rock and Bad Boys.

It is a political drama centred in Benghazi and is an adaptation of Mitchell Zuckoff’s book, 13 Hours, about the 2012 attack on an American compound in Libya that left US ambassador John Christopher Stevens dead. The plot focuses on the failed rescue attempt.