Environment activist Wiebo Ludwig is nursing head wounds after a mysterious explosion in Alberta. Ludwig is the farmer who's been charged with vandalizing oil and gas wells in Alberta.

He was loading his minivan Monday morning, when it exploded outside a hotel in Edmonton. The explosion destroyed the Dodge Caravan and damaged another vehicle.

Ludwig was several metres from the vehicle when it blew up and suffered a slight head wound when he was hit with a piece of flying debris.

Wiebo Ludwig
Wiebo Ludwig

Police spokesman, Kelly Gordon, says there has been no formal analysis -- however the explosion was the result of explosive materials in, on or near the van.

Ludwig's son, Ben, says his father wasn't transporting explosives. He says someone is targetting his father.

Ludwig and several members of his family face vandalism and conspiracy charges stemming from the bombing of a oil wells in 1997 and 1998. They complain that oil and gas development is harming the health of their families and livestock.

The RCMP, in turn, have admitted they bombed an oil installation in an effort to dig up evidence against their suspects.