Reports that hundreds of cars have been damaged by unknown objects on an industrial estate in Limburg have been greatly exaggerated, the local Sittard-Geleen council said on Friday afternoon.

Only five cars have actually been damaged and the dents in the paintwork and windscreens is not serious, the council said. The damage may also be older than last night because none of the cars are new, the spokesman said.

Black grains found at the scene were not the cause of the damage, fire brigade officials said earlier. It is still unclear where the grains came from.