A fierce northeasterly wind and rough seas which have lashed Malta throughout the day has caused damage all along the east coast, with boats slipping their moorings at St Pual's Bay, St Julians and Sliema Creek. Tiles were dislodged at The Strand promenade in Sliema/Gzira. Some small boats in Spinola were smashed to pieces.

At the Jews Sally Port, below the Valletta bastions, a Toyota Vitz was almost washed away by the waves, which carried it onto the rocks. The driver, a 70-year-old man from Valletta, was lucky to escape unhurt, having been assisted out of the car by SAG police who happened to be on a patrol nearby. At St Julians traffic had to be diverted because of seawater on the road while at Marsascala a kiosk had window panes broken and plastic chairs and tables scattered over a wide area.

The police also reported that a 59-year-old Italian resident of Naxxar was injured in the afternoon when he was hit by a water tank as he walked along High Street, St Julians. He was taken to hospital where his injuries were found not to be serious.

The tank is thought to have been blown by the wind.

The Gozo ferry service was interrupted in the morning, causing problems in some schools as Gozitan teachers did not turn up.

The Met Office has issued a strong wind warning till 6 p.m. (See also: Crew rescued from yacht off Malta)

(mynews@timesofmalta.com)