(Adds PN statement)

A large number of tombstones were broken when vandals struck at Kirkop cemetery last night.

The Mayor of Kirkop, Mario Salerno, told timesofmalta.com that some 70 percent of the graves were damaged. Marble tombstones were broken and crosses pulled down and smashed, he said. The vandals are believed to have used wooden planks to cause the destruction.

The motive is not known.

The incident is believed to have happened after 11 p.m, with the vandals having jumped over a one-storey high wall to gain access. The vandalism was reported by a woman who went to pray at the cemetery gate at 7 a.m.

The mayor said he could not recall any other case of vandalism on the cemetery. He thanked the police for their service and said the council could not tolerate a situation such as this, especially at this time of the year, which hurt so many people's sentiments.

A Magisterial inquiry is being held.

Kirkop council condemned the incident and appealed to anyone having any information to contact the police.

The PN, PL and AD issued statements to condemn the vandalism.