Four robbers left empty-handed after they failed to remove money from an automated teller machine (ATM) which they had blown up at a bank in Masjid Tanah early today.

Alor Gajah police chief Supt Umar Ali Saifuddin Shaharudin said the explosion, which occurred at 3.20am, damaged the ATM and shattered the glass wall opposite the cash machine as well as damaged the wall and ceiling of the building.

"The explosives were fixed to one of two ATMs at the cash machine compartment. The compartment also housed a cash deposit machine.

"The police were alerted about the incident at 3.40 am. A witness saw four men tried to get hold of the money from the damaged cash machine but to no avail.

"They left the scene on two motorcycles empty-handed," Umar Ali said when contacted.

He said the police were investigating the type of explosives used in the botched robbery.

- Bernama