Vicious winds are lashing the Maltese islands leaving a trail of damage, especially at the Radisson Hotel in St Julian’s which was flooded after strong waves smashed through its windows.

The police today issued a warning advising the public to avoid coastal areas and seafronts such as Triq Borg Olivier in St Julian’s due to high waves crashing onto land. Seawater had flooded one side of the Strand in Sliema.

A resident said the strong sea waves even smashed cars into the Park Towers Mall in St Julian’s.