Farewell to fireworks explosion victims

Malta yesterday bid its final, sad farewell to the five men who perished in the explosions at St Helen's Fireworks Factory near Gharghur, on June 27.

There was hardly a dry eye in Birkirkara, as the full extent of the tragedy hit home when the young son of one of the victims desperately tried to clamber onto his father's coffin crying "Papà, papà" as it was carried into the basilica.

Thousands attended the funeral, lining the funeral route and crowding the square in front of St Helen's Basilica, waiting for the coffins of Sunny Borg, Vincent Galea, Richard Cardona, Paul Bonnici and Carmel Farrugia.

They expressed their sadness with applause as the coffins were carried behind the main bands of Birkirkara, popularly known as Tal-Bagri and Tal-Ghama, playing sombre music.

The large bells also tolled their mournful tone, but it was the salute of single petards that was most keenly felt by those present, many of them enthusiasts of an activity, which causes so much joy and such deep grief.

Banners put up along the route displayed pictures of the five around a picture of the statue of St Helen and posters read "Birkirkara thanks you and salutes you".

Friends and relatives helped carry the coffins, as members of their family walked behind, wearing large sunglasses that hid their tears but not their grief.

Leading the public for the funeral Mass were President and Mrs Fenech Adami, Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant and MLP deputy leader Michael Falzon, Police Commissioner John Rizzo, as well as MPs and other personalities. The concelebration was led by Provost Anton Cassar.

From Birkirkara, part of the grief then moved to Valletta, where Mr Farrugia's coffin was taken for a separate service at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Mr Farrugia's father was among those who carried his coffin, partly draped by the flag of Valletta football club, signed by the players.

The Mass was led by Prior Martin Schembri, assisted by several other priests. The Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi and Chief Justice Emeritus Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici and Mrs Mifsud Bonnici were among the dignitaries present in the packed basilica.

The victims could not be buried sooner because the bodies of four of them were only identified some ten days after their death. The five men went missing following a series of explosions at around 5.45 p.m. on June 27. Joe Bonello is the only survivor.

The body of Sunny Borg was the first to be discovered. It was found at about 9 a.m. on June 28. The go-ahead for his burial was soon given, but his family preferred to wait for the recovery of the other bodies to hold a collective funeral.

Another body was found at about 4 p.m. The three other bodies were found on June 29. The victims were identified following DNA and other tests last Monday and after the inquiring magistrate Silvio Meli gave the go-ahead for burial to take place.

Today's external feast, on the eve of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Valletta, has been cancelled as a sign of mourning for the victims. Mass will be said tonight at 7 p.m. for the repose of the soul of Mr Farrugia, one of the five victims, who hailed from Valletta and who was very active in the organisation of the feast.

Tomorrow, the day of the feast, Pontifical High Mass will be said by Archbishop Paul Cremona at 9.15 a.m. A procession with the statue of the Our Lady will leave the basilica at 6 p.m.

This year's feast of St Helen in Birkirkara has been reduced to four days and no outdoor celebrations will be held in solidarity with the families of the victims.