Devastation at Naxxar

Philip Paris

Mar 14th 2008, 18:57

Like guns in North America, it seems Malta has a problem with fireworks being easily accessible and in the wrong hands of the uneducated.
It is only common sense that Government’s ban items that can cause in the end a tragedy.
The question is, if it is common sense, WHY don’t the Government’s ban these weapons?
If they kill they are weapons!

Ross Mason

Mar 13th 2008, 09:53

I agree, that the victims should be compensated for this terrible tragedy. I'm very sorry for their loss. I also think its the responsibility of the government to crackdown on firework manufacturing and regulate it.

H. Farrugia

Mar 13th 2008, 09:22

Is it true what I'm hearing that reports were filed with the police about illegal fireworks manufacturing and the police DID NOTHING? If these reports are true then action must be immediately taken against the Commissioner of Police and against the police officers in question for failing to do their duty. It is not fair that the Maltese tax payer will have to foot the bill. No money will ever get back to life this young mother. No money will put her family's life back. again.

Tonio Montebello

Mar 13th 2008, 07:49

I would really welcome the day when the manufacture of fireworks in our country is drastically controlled. How many more lives do we have to see taken away for this so called "hobby"?

ALBERT FENECH

Mar 13th 2008, 07:09

This is a devastating sequel after the recent General Elections that should very quickly bring us all down to earth again. This is a national tragedy which is over and above politics - so let us put politics aside and try and talk sanity as citizens of this country, rather than electors. This tragic incident surely encapsulates anything and everything that is wrong about this country. When are we going to recognise the truth? When are we going to admit that the moral, ethical and conscientious fibre of these islands are non-existent? These fireworks caches were housed in a purely residential area. Whoever was responsible for them showed total and gross irresponsibility for all the neighbours, all the families living directly in the vicinity. Needless to say such caches were illegal. But did nobody notice anything? Were no complaints made by the residents to the authorities? If complaints were made, why did the authorities not do anything about the matter?

Just imagine if this tragedy had happened in the evening, or at night when all the nearby residents were in their houses, watching television, or asleep?.

However, the real tragedy is the mind concept of the person or persons who established these illegal caches in the first instance and - if authorities knew about it - the total corruption of those who turned a blind eye. Doing so, they had no moral or ethical remorse of what the consequences could be, and indeed were. It is this lack of moral conscience, this impunity, this total disregard for others that is the root cause of the tragedy of these islands.

It's little use for the PM, the Archbishop, the Opposition, the Police Commissioner and all the others to rush round there wringing their hands in anguish. WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO TO RESTORE THE MORAL CONSCIENCE AND THE ETHICAL BASIS OF THESE ISLANDS? When are the authorities going to take the decision that in matters like this the only policy that is to be exercised is one of zero tolerance? And, how can we go on pontificating about wishing to turn these islands into models of excellence if the very foundations of these islands are rotten to the core, embedded in diffidence, indifference, and dare one say, corruption?

Rosanna Paris

Mar 13th 2008, 06:40

I am devasted and very sad about this tragedy especially since innocent lives were lost. It seems that one is nowhere safe even in their homes. I appeal to the government to keep tabs on these people who have the passion for fireworks, even if they have to search their properties at random. Having legitimate fireworks factories is not enough for these people they even have to take these dangerous explosives home to endanger the lives of other families, and it seems to be thier latest trend as a similar incident happened quite recently. I do not think that this is fair as everyone has the right to live peacefully especially in the sanction of their own home. These people are well known for their reckless hobbies with the authorities, so please I appeal to the authorities concerned not to let this fatal incident be forgotten. Keep these reckless people from doing anymore harm TO OUR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

D Dimech

Mar 13th 2008, 06:05

My heart goes out to the two innocent children and husband who left home never imagining that they will return to find that they lost their precious mum and that they have lost all they ever had. And why??! Simply just because there are irresponsable people who believe that they can do what they like. Something has to be done to stop all this. If these people are willing to sacrifice their lives for their hobby, for God´s sake spare the lives of innocent people whose only wish is to live for the ones they love!!

David Spiteri

Mar 13th 2008, 06:02

I can't believe that in a residential area, nobody knew what was going on. It is more incredible that some must have known and kept silent. The same people who would moan and grumble about a broken street lamp or loud guard dog. This country astounds me.

W.Camiller

Mar 12th 2008, 20:57

I live across the road from it exactly, and I would like to say sorry for the 2 girls that lost thier mother from the "bomb" I am happy that not a lot of ppl were killed and a few ppl are injured and i would like to add that the civil protection unit responded quickly, so way to go guys and i think that the maltese men and wemon should help out the families that have been effected by this i mean the people that lost the belongings and "memories". and this is a note to the government - help us out and this is the time to shine and show your true colours" thanks,

Stephen Florian

Mar 12th 2008, 19:11

At Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary Naxxar we were between change of lessons when this tragedy happened. Smoked billowed into our direction and the blast rattled our school. At first though gning out into open spaces we thought it was a part of the Lija Fireworks factory.I would like to take this opportunity on this serial tragic nightmare, to appeal to Prime Minister Dr. Gonzi who recently visited our school in his electoral campaign, and to Commissioner of Police John Rizzo, to take necessary action and enforcement in order to physically ensure that no such dangers ensue from the Lija Fireworks Factory whose epicentre lies a mere 128 metres from where the Naxxar Higher Secondary School is located.