Updated: Fireworks found in export container

J Oatmon

Sep 2nd 2008, 22:59

The fact that no one in Malta actually knows who has fireworks / explosives is very distrubing.

There are probably hundreds of people in Malta who have access to these fireworks / explosives, and some of these people may be unreliable or hold gruges against other people.

There is no control over who has access to fireworks / explosives in Malta, and so they could be used by persons who are unstable or have a criminal intent - who can tell what they might do, we could have exploding cars in our streets not just burning cars.

victor vella

Sep 2nd 2008, 22:37

Ah 2 days already and we do not have anyone under arrest. They knew who was exporting the container 5 minutes after the find, it is not as if one can export a container with out declaring his company or name. What is keeping the police from arresting the people concerned.Was the container declared as containing hazardous material. I do hope that the police have the means at law to charge whoever is guilty with the Charge of endangering people's lives and the safety of the ship and other cargo.Just imagine the ship is stranded in a port in the med in this heat and humidity,

dbugeja

Sep 2nd 2008, 22:01

@ Charmaine Mangion

to tell you the truth I would be very sorry for both the bird and the person .This maybe I cannot explain to you since I have great love and affection for the animals.

Of course I would be very sorry if I knew the person personally. but killing is wrong and it remains bad for an animal and a human.

Joe Vassallo

Sep 2nd 2008, 20:27

Imagine what would have happened had this container been stacked next to a container load of other hazardous goods, such as chemicals and other flammable material. Imagine had there been an explosion on the ship, or on the quay, either here or at the port of destination. Whoever it is, and it is very easy for the police to find out who these mad morons are, deserve to be imprisoned for a long, long time. Describing them as "animals" would be an insult to the animal kingdom. I hope the Courts will have the courage to make an example out of them - they are sick people who do not give a damn about putting the lives of others in real danger, as long as they are making some out of it.

Charles Micallef

Sep 2nd 2008, 17:10

It seems to me that the issue with illegal fireworks goes a lot deeper than what Mr Joe Public is aware off!

Ramon Casha

Sep 2nd 2008, 17:02

@Rita

Where do you get the idea that "nothing is done"? It's still early on but I expect a number of people to be arraigned in the coming days, once they've investigated the container's owners etc.

The situation with hunting is somewhat different: When hunting is allowed for certain specific breeds, a large percentage of hunters shoot at everything with feathers. They get away with it because unless they're caught red handed with the illegal bird in their possession, nobody can prove that their shot was the one which killed it. Unfortunately the hunting community as a whole cannot be trusted, even if there are individuals among them who are trustworthy.

charmaine mangion

Sep 2nd 2008, 16:39

yes i want to see how you react d bugeja if your bird is killed or a person you know is???
are we mixing up arguments here or???

J Micallef

Sep 2nd 2008, 16:08

"The material will be destroyed."
Can we have it for our Festa next week please, instead?????

d bugeja

Sep 2nd 2008, 15:28

Hunting is killing birds for pleasure.
Storing illegally fireworks may cause killing people and tradgedies.
To me they are both on the same scale : both killing

Anthony A. Mifsud

Sep 2nd 2008, 14:20

@ Anthony Vella, What Ms. Spiteri writes is " because someone who shot a bird (A Bird ) ok " The minister of rulal what ever closed the season for all the Hunters piriod.

Should the Minister do the same as he did to the Hunters?
Go grow up.
Toni

apgrech

Sep 2nd 2008, 13:52

I don't mind some fireworks in feasts but if these are going to be a danger to the public because of some irresponsible hobbyists, then something serious needs to be done including if necessary, banning fireworks altogether.

I heard that there are many garages around Malta where fireworks are stored illegally. What happened in Naxxar can happen elsewhere.

Allen Galea

Sep 2nd 2008, 13:51

Rita Spiteri,
I agree that whoever abuses fireworks should be punished - but not ban all fireworks. Put it this way, if fireworks are used as they're supposed to, then absolutely nobody gets hurt! With hunting, unfortunately beautiful birds get killed.

Maria Schembri

Sep 2nd 2008, 13:40

By banning it, it doesn't mean that it will stop abuse!!

These guys knew it was illegal, that is why they have not declared it! Why don't we all thank and congratulate the team at the customs for this good job instead?

anthony valletta

Sep 2nd 2008, 13:34

@Rita Spiteri, Two Wrongs do not make one right.!

Rita Spiteri

Sep 2nd 2008, 12:18

Of course birds and fireworks are not on the same scale,fireworks are explosives so they explode so they kill people not birds,I do care about the innocent bystanders risking their lives how about thinking of the workers on the ship or a garage full of expolsives in Naxxar killing a mother. oh I'm so daft I don't know what I'm writing.

Charles Caruana Carabez

Sep 2nd 2008, 12:09

This confirms what I have been suspecting for quite some time: the amounts and the people who use chemicals required for the manufacture of pyrotechnics are not well enough monitored. Saltpetre, for example, is an essential, and this is not available to common individuals. Who has the licence to obtain such chemicals in significant quantities, and how much did each one use for authorised purposes? We cannot remain an island of mysteries. The chemicals involved can be used for terrorism purposes, too. Is that serious enough?

Anthony A. Mifsud

Sep 2nd 2008, 11:52

Rita Spiteri is 100% right, why all this fuss, burn it and let's get on with life.
This is Cool Malta where any thing goes.

Toni

J Farrugia

Sep 2nd 2008, 11:43

Don't be daft Rita. Who is banning the hunting of birds? The Eu, the Maltese government ?!? That's nature. Do you put birds and fireworks in the same scales? You don't know what you're talking about.

Mark Grech

Sep 2nd 2008, 11:37

As usual the main so called hobbies that always cause inconvenience and often affect public safety, while abusing and insulting all Maltese citizens: hunting, horse riding in public roads, feasts, fireworks, car/driving hobbysts and sometimes even fishing from public beaches! Our authorities have lost control over all these areas.

Rita Spiteri

Sep 2nd 2008, 11:23

If a bird is killed illegaly hunting is banned, but if fireworks are found illegaly stored Nothing is done