Photo: Jason Borg

The big tomato fight which was due to be held in Fgura this evening was cancelled after the plastic cage where the game was set to be held was destroyed by what to eye witnesses seemed like a mini-tornado.

Earlier, there were thundery showers all over the island, which, although announced last week, still seemed to take many by surprise.

Mark Zammit Cordina, timesofmalta.com’s cameraman who was in Valperga Street, Fgura to shoot the tomato fight said that the metal frame of the cage was covered in plastic to enclose the area where the fight was to take place.

The scene in Valperga Street, Fgura. Photo: Jason Borg

As it started getting windy, the organisers started to remove the plastic to prevent the cage from being taken away by the wind, but a cold wintry rush was felt at one point.

This was followed by thunder and what seemed like a mini-tornado, which brought down the tent.

Several minor traffic accidents which brought traffic to a standstill were reported in a number of localities including at Mellieha, where an Arriva bus skidded and blocked the road, Marsascala, Bugibba and St Paul’s Bay.

Photo: Andrew Sammut

At the by-pass leading to Mater Dei Hospital, a reader reported a seven-car pile-up.

Many areas were flooded, including Msida, tal-Barrani in Zejtun and tac-Cawsli in Zabbar.

A good number of trees were uprooted and many poles were pulled down by the wind all over Malta and Gozo, with the Civil Protection's assistance being requested to clear the roads in several areas including Rabat, Mriehel, Hal Far, Siggiewi, Kirkop, Fgura, Cospicua, Zurrieq, Kercem and Victoria.

Festa celebrations at Zurrieq were ruined with the statue bearers having to run with the statue to church in heavy rainfall. Some street decorations were also ruined.

The rainstorm also cut the celebrations of the feast of St Gregory in Sliema short, with the statue being rushed into church and enthusiasts rushing to dismantle feast decorations.

The mayor of Qormi appealed to people not to leave their cars parked in the valley.

At Sharma Terrace in Mdina, everything that was on the terrace was destroyed with the mini tornado hit, including the glass wind breaker and the large umbrellas.

No injuries were reported.

The storm heading to Vittoriosa. Photo: Nicholas Grech

Sharma Terrace in Mdina. Photo:

Festa enthusiasts hastily removing street decorations in Sliema, to protect them from the weather. Photo: Jean-Marc Chapelle

Lightning strike in Xaghra. Photo: Andrew Debrincat