Grieving relatives wept as two solitary trumpets played a sad tune in memory of the seven men who died in an explosion on board a patrol boat a quarter of a century ago.

While the last notes slowly died out, the loud bursts of a foghorn sharply contrasted with the silence that followed, as soldiers tensed and stole quick glances at the patrol boat - the P23 - which had carried illegally manufactured fireworks on that tragic day.

Finally, the emotional relatives placed wreaths at the foot of a stone and marble monument unveiled during the ceremony held by the Armed Forces of Malta to mark the tragic 25th anniversary.

"Why did seven men, some of whom had young children, die in such a tragedy?" asked Major Wallace Camilleri, the acting commanding officer of the Maritime Squadron, in a speech. "They were earning their living and didn't return to their families. Nevertheless, they remain alive in our hearts and they are considered silent heroes who paid the ultimate price for serving the nation at the Maritime Squadron," he said.

The Commander of the AFM, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, said the monument was dedicated to the soldiers and policemen who died in the tragedy because the two forces worked and grieved together.

"Accidents will happen again, despite the preparation, training and equipment used. Our work involves more risk than others, so let us be prepared."

Among the relatives seated in the first and second rows and the colleagues in the back row, was Deputy Police Commissioner Joe Cachia.

On September 7, 1984, six soldiers escorted by two policemen left the Maritime Battery for Comino aboard a patrol boat, then called C 23, to dispose of illegally-made fireworks. Except for one soldier, they never made it back.

The only survivor was Private Emmanuel Montesin, then 21, who did not turn up for the ceremony yesterday.

The victims were Bombardier Joseph Pace, 36, Bombardier Francis Borg, 36, Gunner William Simpson, 26, Private Anthony Farrugia, 27, Private Anthony Vella, 20, Police Sergeant Salvu Muscat, 30, and Police Constable Joseph Hare, 24.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com

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