Qrendi residents object to fireworks display

A number of Qrendi residents have filed a judicial protest requesting that land-based fireworks display would not be held in their road, as used to happen, arguing that this was detrimental to their health and the safety of their homes.

Eight residents of Rokku Buhagiar Street filed the protest against the chairman of the Explosives' Committee, the Police Commissioner and the Attorney General.

They explained that the land-based fireworks display during the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, to be held in three weeks' time, was usually held in their road and this was to the detriment of their health (as some suffered from medical conditions) and the safety of their property.

This year they complained to the relevant authorities asking that the display be held elsewhere. However, following a decision by the Explosives' Committee, it was decided that the display would again be held in their road.

The residents argued that they were never consulted by the authorities despite having voiced their concerns. They called on the Explosives' Committee to reconsider its decision and held the authorities liable in damages.

Earlier this week, the Santa Marija Musical Society filed a protest complaining about a decision taken by the Explosives' Committee. The club said that over the last 11 years, it had built new premises in Rokku Buhagiar Square near the Qrendi parish church. It had complained to the committee informing it that if the fireworks display were to be held at the square, its new premises would suffer damage but the committee did not uphold its complaint.

In a counter-protest filed yesterday, the committee noted that the Santa Marija Musical Society had only complained to the committee (about possible damage to its property) after the matter was decided.

The committee also argued that the fireworks display was not held in front of the society's premises but a certain distance was maintained in order to ensure no damaged was caused.

Lawyer Geoffrey Vella signed the residents' protest.

Lawyer Michael Sciriha signed the counter-protest.