The iconic Bieb il-Bombi in Floriana has been subject to vandalism overnight, with someone using black spray to draw graffiti onto the monument.

A picture of the vandalised gate was shared to Facebook by Floriana local councillor and minority leader James Aaron Ellul.

He also noted that in every meeting over the last few months he has been appealing for answers as to why a security camera which looked onto the monument had been removed.  Up to this day, he said, he was still without an answer.

He continued that all he was met with were people dragging their feet and no authority willing to assume responsibility. “Everybody is playing ping pong.”

Ellul said that councillors need to be given more consideration and councils need to be listened to.

In a statement, the government said that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage together with the Restoration and Preservation Department are taking the necessary steps together with the police for the necessary action to be taken after the vandalism.

The Culture Ministry strongly condemned the vandal act, saying that the gate represents Malta’s cultural and historical heritage.

 

A plan has been prepared for the removal of any damage which may have been caused by the act, and cleaning by restoration workers is to start immediately.