Strong winds last night damaged a power cable, causing a widespread power cut. It also dismasted a small sailing yacht off Wied iz-Zurrieq.

Enemalta said the wind damaged a 33kV cable between Mosta DC and Mellieħa, causing a 132/33 kV transformer at the Mosta Distribution Centre to trip. The damage developed at 7.24 p.m. and a power cut was caused in parts of Mellieħa, Buġibba, Qawra, Mġarr, Marfa, St Paul’s Bay, Sliema Gżira and Gozo.

Enemalta engineers acted promptly and started restoring supply at 19.40 p.m. All supply was restored by 8 p.m.

YACHT DAMAGED

Earlier, a Belgian man refused offers of assistance after his nine-metre sailing yacht, the Caracal, was dismasted off Wied Iz-Zurrieq in rough seas and the strong wind.

The man, who was the only person on board, refused offers to help even when a rescuer was lowered from an AFM Alouette helicopter.

The helicopter then returned to base but the AFM is continuing to monitor the situation.

The yacht used its small engine to battle the heavy seas and make it to the safety of Marsaxlokk harbour.