Fireworks discovered metres from petrol station

Boxes of fireworks were yesterday removed from the basement of the Peace Band Club in Naxxar, just streets away from the blast that killed two and robbed three families of their home barely two months ago.

Police evacuated the area and arrested a "number of people" following the discovery of "a small amount" of fireworks in Labour Avenue, a busy junction just metres away from a petrol station, early in the afternoon.

The club was also evacuated, cutting short a snooker tournament, which was being held at the band club as part of the Mediterranean Friendship Games.

One man, who was inside the club at the time of the raid, expressed his surprise at the find, saying he would not be shocked if it transpired that the club he frequented was storing fireworks in its basement.

He added that having more than one band club in a locality gave rise to competition, especially when it came to manufacturing fireworks.

The town, which is still reeling from the tragedy in Triq Ħal-Dejf, was shocked to discover that lessons had not been learnt from the death of Sina Sammut, a mother of two, and Paul Camilleri, who was suspected to have been manufacturing fireworks in his garage.

Police said yesterday's raid followed investigations that had kicked off after March's explosion, although it added that this did not necessarily mean the two cases were connected.

However, sources said a link was not being excluded, especially since Mr Camilleri had been a member on the band club's committee.

After the March 12 explosion, police had appealed for information about the illegal storage of fireworks, and had arrested several people following a number of finds.

According to sources, the explosives found included gas and loose powder.

"Although the find is not insignificant, it is not the amount of explosives found that is worrying, but the fact that they were contained in a small area," the sources said, not excluding the possibility of damage to surrounding buildings had an explosion occurred.

Members of the bomb disposal unit were called to the band club to remove the explosives.

Duty magistrate Miriam Hayman was informed of the case and appointed court experts to help her in the inquiry. Police investigations are underway.