Two vehicles were damaged in a small explosion caused by an explosive device placed near the garage of businessman Sandro Ciliberti, known as Ic-Chilly, in Gozo this morning.

The police said the blast took place in Triq Ġnien Xibla, Xagħra, at 3.50am. The businessman and his partner, who run a sunbed and umbrella hire in Comino, were inside the garage but no one was injured.

The damaged vehicles were a Mercedes Benz and a Ford Transit parked in front of the garage. Luckily, the blast failed to detonate four big gas cylinders which were located in the garage. Police found a large rod of iron some 30 metres away linked to the blast, which made a dent in the pavement with the strong impact.

Sandro Ciliberti.

Glass windows of neighbouring houses were smashed. Sources said the explosion was heard from Nadur. 

AFM bomb disposal experts were called to the scene to assist the police in their investigations. CCTV cameras placed outside the residence could shed some light on the identity of the perpetrators.

A magisterial inquiry is being conducted by Magistrate Paul Coppini.