A newly completed section of the Marsaxlokk promenade was the target of vandals yesterday evening.

Unknown people splashed burnt oil on newly-laid paving near the Ghajn tal-Hasselin, a section of the promenade whose rehabilitation was completed only recently.

The incident took place between 6 and 7 p.m., but no eyewitnesses have come forward yet, informed sources said.

The local council acted fast and most of the oil was removed before it could cause permanent damage.

The local council condemned the incident, and said that whoever did it was showing contempt to the people of Marsaxlokk and Malta in general. It urged the police to investigate and arraign the people responsible.

The Resources Ministry, which had invested €2 million on the upgrading, also condemned the vandalism.

A similar incident took place at another part of the promenade two months ago.

The rehabilitation of the promenade has led to fierce arguments between the users of the area - fishermen, hawkers and restaurateurs. Fishermen have complained that no enough space had been reserved for them. Some hawkers have complained because their space has been reduced or moved, while the restaurateurs say they cannot place tables on the promenade because of the hawkers.