Explosion at Ghaxaq fireworks factory

Philip Sultana

Sep 27th 2009, 10:06

Is this the third serious fireworks incident in the last two years, or were there more? I would think that the frequency of these incidents suggests that something is intrinsically wrong in the way fireworks are managed in Malta! Shouldn't there be an in-depth investigation? Perhaps foreign experts can help?

C.Busuttil

Sep 26th 2009, 19:20

@John Fenech


Ghalik horrid bands imma sejjer zbaljat bhal f'kollox, filfatt kien hawn baned Maltin li rebhu konkorsi barra minn Malta, hawn baned Maltin li jigu mistiedna jdoqqu barra u mhux it-Tunisja imma gewwa l-ingliterra, spanja, Franza, ir-Russja, l-awstrija u l-germanja. Tghidlix dawn il-pajjizi ma jafux x'inhuma jaghmlu.
Taf kemm hargu muzicisti kbar minn hdan il-baned lokali taf jew ma tafx? taf li permezz tat-taghlim tal-muzika b'xejn offruta mill-kazini kemm kien hawn tfal u zghazagh li hadu kultura muzikali kompluta u mhux il-kultura muzikali ta' Lady Gaga.

Taf li fil-kazini taghna hemm arkivjata rikezza shiha ta' muzika komposta mill-aqwa kompozituri lokali u barranin. U jekk ma tafx minbarra fil-festi l-baned taghna jaghmlu kuncerti matul is-sena kollha fl-aqwa teatri ta' dan il-pajjiz li jkunu mimlija u trid thallas biex tidhol. Gieli mort kuncerti ohra (mhux tal-baned) u bilkemm konna ghoxrin ruh fl-udjenza.

X'argument huwa "air polluted by hotdog stalls" int taf x'int tghid jew? pollution imma c-comb fl-arja mill-powerstation jew mill-exhaust tal-karrozzi.

Ir-ruh ta' poplu u nazzjon hija l-kultura u tradizzjoni tieghu, nies li ma japprezawx xejn mit-talent u kultura ta' pajjizhom huma nies li ma japprezaw xejn u lil hadd fil-hajja ta' kuljum.

C.Busuttil

Sep 26th 2009, 18:37

@John Fenech
Qed isemmi l-festi bhala imbarazz jigifiri ghalik opri ta' l-arti bhal l-armar xoghol l-aqwa artisti lokali bhal Abram Gatt, Karlu Darmanin, l-ahwa Michael u AlfredCamilleri Cauchi, Salvu Bugeja, Silvio Pace, Agostino Camilleri, Adonai Camilleri Cauchi, Vincenzo Cremona u Pawlu Camilleri Cauchi huma imbarazz ? Jigifiri skond int per esempju Pawlu Camilleri Cauchi l-aqwa pittur fl-istorja ta' dawn il-gzejjer aqwa anke minn Cali johloq l-imbarazz.
Semmejt il-baned bhala ta' livell baxx, jidher li ma tafx li llum il-baned lokali saru jkollhom kantanti barranin ta' livell gholi jiehdu sehem maghom. Kieku dawn tac-cajt kif qed tipprova tpingi int l-ebda kantant ma jiehu sehem maghhom.
U x'hi nghidu fuq il-kazini li huma palazzi ta' vera, kollha irham, pittura, lavur tal-gebla, fided, skultura etc. Ghalik dak imbarazz ?
U dwar il-loghob tan-nar xi nghidu l-aqwa li hawn, taf li l-anqas ic-Cina fejn gie ivvintat, ma jafu jaghmlu murtal b'tlett fethiet kif jaghmlu l-Maltin. Taf li imkien fid-dinja ma jaghmlu n-nar ta' l-art bil-mekkanizmu li jaghmlu l-Maltin.
U l-knejjes taghna opri ta' l-arti hajjin, u l-istatwi xoghol l-aqwa artisti, tghidlix li Melchior Gafa kien jaghmel l-imbarazz, Taf min kien Gafa? Taf minn kien Salvu Psaila jew Vincenzo Dimech? tghidlix li xogholhom imbarazz ukoll

S. Maniscalco

Sep 26th 2009, 18:00

@ Joe Fenech

Then how do you explain the presence of thousands of people at festas if for "many of us" hate it? It doesn't make absolute sense to remove festas just for the few who are pissed off because for a few days there are roads closed in celebration etc etc..

This doesn't mean that festas are a perfectly enjoyable event, certain things must and are being done such as more discipline and proper behaviour can be seen. Improvments have been accomplished in the past years.

The dedication which a lot of people have for the festa, as well as the talents in decoration, fireworks and music are enough to define the festas as one of the top maltese traditions whether everybody likes it or not! Most bands have been invited to play abroad and achieved sucess. King George V band of mqabba was even awarded the "L'etoile d'or du jumelage" by the European commission. I guess they can't be so horrid afterall e?

Few toursit come to Malta just for the sea, weather etc etc... they come to see the whole package our country has to offer.. and festas and fireworks are part it!

Joe Fenech

Sep 26th 2009, 17:13

S. Maniscalco:

People have the right not to have their country littered my 'imbarazz' and kitsch, horrid bands, incessant loud noise, loutish behaviour, main roads and streets closed, air polluted by burgers and hotdog stalls.... Well I guess for you that a hobby and fun...well, for many of us it isn't!!!

Tourists come to festas only because they seem them as 'unique' (....) and because they happen to be here on holiday! He/she who thinks that tourists come on purpose to see the festas has a screw loose!

S. Maniscalco

Sep 26th 2009, 14:59

@ Joe Fenech

Please don't speak in general, its "you" who doesn't need 4 months celebrating "bad taste". Most Maltese love village feasts and it is shown by the thousands who participate in the feasts.

Our lives would be boring and without sense if we were to spend our money only on necessary things which we can't live without. That's why maltese complain about cost of living as they do not have much spending money.

Every person has the right to spend his money on what he wants. So if for you its stupid to spend money on festas, its your opinion but not your buisness, unless your money is used which I assume is not the case.

Does it make sense for you that any hobby or activity which you practise and enjoy has to be "scrapped" because it is not enjoyed by all ?

JOSEPH BAJADA

Sep 26th 2009, 11:27

J Falzon.....ghal informazzjoni tighek malta l unika unuri internazzjonali li kisbet huma f dak tal power boats u fil qasam pirotekniku...bizzejjed nsemmu caput lucis l festival internazzjonali li kien ntrebah min st mary fwf imqabba u anke unuri ohra li ngibu malta mil kamra tan nar ta hal lija...Ghallura nt jekk ma jogbokx l kant ma namlux l eurovision u ma nonfqux flus fih?? u ha nejdlek ohra turisti biex jaraw l piroteknika jigu bil bosta u jzommu appuntament min sena al ohra.....u dawn qedin jamlulna reklam tajjeb f pajjizhom...

joe fenech....ghal informazzjoni tijek ahna ghandna hajja u kuntenti bil mod kif qed nejxu....mux ha tigi nt u tikkmandani kif nejxu hajjitna...jien flusek ma nigix nejdlek kif tonfoqhom..x jibqa jekk taqta l festi siehbi???? nofs kultara maltija tispicca duhhan......sur joe ghadek ma tafx xi ifisser voluntarjat u passjoni al festa ghax kiku ma titkellimx ekk...jiddispajcini li aw nies f malta li jirragunaw b dal mod..GHallura ghax jien ma jogobniex l hobby tijek nejdlek dak bla sens jew nheggeg bies naqtghu...???

Roderick Bajada

Sep 26th 2009, 11:02

J Falzon, il-kmamar tan-nar ma jiehdu l-ebda fondi....avolja fkull festa li jkun hemm in-nar, jigu mijjiet ta turisti!!!

L-airshow hija irelevanti f'hajti.... u jiehdu il flus + li malta ma tiehu xejn minnha.
il-football huwa irrelevanti f'hajti (u malta tal qamel fih mhux bhan nar li hu l-aqwa fid-dinja - ask the forign experts) football jiehdu il flus....(u tigix tajdli li il football edukativ....)
Eurovision irrelevanti f'hajti u jiehdu il flus....
and the list goes on...

eee le bilhaq.... id-diletanti tan-nar ma jhalsux taxxi bhal l-ohrajn insejt...ghalura ma haqqhom xejn....

Stop whining

Joe Fenech

Sep 26th 2009, 09:20

J. Falzon

SPOT ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maltese people complain about the cost of living then they seem to afford wasting money on stupid festa and to spend time long hours on hobbies. Get a life guys!

Yes, fireworks should be used for specialist occasions. VIllage festas should be scrapped - we don't need 4 months celebrating bad taste. What is all about after all?: yobishness, horrendous band band music and street decorations, and bomb exploisions.

J. Falzon

Sep 26th 2009, 01:36

@ Joseph Bajjada

Fl-opinjoni tieghi, ma nsib l-EBDA Raguni valida li l-gvern ghandu jgholli l-fondi tal-kmamar tan-nar
Ghala ghandi naghti flusi ghal xi haga li hi irrelevanti f' hajti?
Hawn nies imuti bil-guh u int qed tghid lil gvern jgholli l-fondi ghal kmamar tan-nar?
Dan jien nghidlu estremizmu tas-soltu, fejn it-tradizzjonijiet(pagani, bhal m'huma l-festi maltin) jirrenjaw minflok prijoritajiet tal-hajja

@ Michael Grech
Sa fejn naf jien, in-nar ta' Malta baqa l-istess u t-turisti naqsu
Qed tibbaza l-argument tieghek fuq in-niexef
It-turisti jigi primarjament ghax-xemx, bahar, storja u rbit ta' kulturi(Inglizi minhabba l-hbiberija maghhom, Taljani l-istess)

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Kieku l-loghob tan-nar jintuza biss f'okkazjonijiet specjali, u ma jkollniex kamra f'kull rahal, ikun hemm HAFNA inqas incidenti

Joseph Bajada

Sep 25th 2009, 19:57

@Romon Casha NIxtieq ninfurmak li kull kamra tan nar bir rizorsi u l fondi li jkollha dejjem jaghmlu mil ahjar biex jtejbu s safety..Kieku l gvern jalloka l fondi zgur izzid aktar s safety......NIxtieq ninfurmak li memx premju tas safety u ghalekk qatt ma haduh ..IL premijiet ta l aqwa nar u shows l kmamar maltin gabu lejn malta. Nuri solidarjeta ma shabi ta san guzepp u nejdilhom kuragg biex jibqew jtuna spettakli kbar bhal ma dejjem offrew lil poplu malti u ghawdxi..

Gordon Grech

Sep 25th 2009, 18:38

Nixtieq li naghti kull appogg lil dawk il voluntiera li qeghdin b'tant sagrificju, izda fl-istess hin btant energija, jiehdu hsieb litissewwa il hsara.
Nixtieq nigbed l-attenzjoni ta' dawk l-esperi li jiktbu u jghidu l-versjoni taghhom, (peress li ahna pajjiz demokratiku! pero malli naraw xi dizgrazzja naraw x'inzidu ), dan l-ahhar sena saru diversi dizgrazzji fatali sfortunatament gewwa Malta. Allura nghid jiena nwaqqfu il-karozzi mit-toroq? inwaqqfu il-postijiet tax-xoghol fejn hemm il-periklu? Jew naraw x'jistgha jsir u x'inhu il-mottiv ta' dawn lincidenti u naraw kif nistghu intejbu is-sitwazzjoni!!!

jscerri

Sep 25th 2009, 18:24

Explosions do happen in all kinds of places and industries. Fireworks factory explosions stand out simply because they are more frequent. People talk about these explosions more not because they do not have something better to do but because firework factory accidents are in the spotlight regularly. Clearly the safety procedures being adopted are not sufficient.

John Grima

Sep 25th 2009, 17:43

While we should all thank God that there were no fatalities in this incident, has anybody ever wondered whether the chemicals suppied to these factories is up to standard. It could be that chemicals supplied might have gone out of date while in storaghe and become unstable. This is the second fireworks factory that I know of that has had an explosion during the night. Back in 1970 the St. George's fireworks factory of Qormi also mysteriously exploded in the middle of the night in September. Back then no mixing of colours was done during the night as all the work was done manually.

victor buttigieg

Sep 25th 2009, 16:59

nixtieq nuri is-soledarjeta tieghi mal ghaqda ta'nar san guzepp f'dan il-mument . nemmen li bl-ghaqda li hemm wara dan l-accident din tkompli tissahah, pero nixtieq nghid li hawn min li bil kemm ma jiddispjacijhomx li ma wegga' hadd, ghax b'hekk ikomplu jzidu fil krucjata taghhom kontra dawn in-nies li bi sagrificju taghhom u tal familja ,jaghmlu dan ix-xoghol li bih ahna nuru li kapaci daqs u iktar minn haddiehor madwar il-globu kollu .

karol spiteri

Sep 25th 2009, 16:39

anna nirringrazzjaw l alla li ma wegga hadd. u nghamel kuragg lil shabi kollegi fil kamra tan nar san guzepp ta hal ghaxaq. dawn huma affarijiet li jigru imma disgrazjatament hawn malta jekk jigri incident f kamra tan nar jinqala panic kbir. ghalfejn titkelmu meta lanqas biss tafu xi jkun gara u taqtaw il kundanni bla ma lanqas biss tafu xi tfisser l arti piroteknika?? tafu kemm taghmlu hsara b dal kliem meta jigri kas bhal dan u jmutu in nies?? mela irringrazjaw l alla li ma garax hekk u ieqfu hemm mhux tibdew tmaqdru!!

Kevin Camilleri

Sep 25th 2009, 14:53

A number of people commented, but only a few really do understand about fireworks. When mixing color, a reaction can be cause which leads to an explosion. Hence, it is not the worker who causes the explosion but the chemical itself. One of the main enemies to color chemicals is humidity, of which in Malta we have a lot. This can increase the risk of explosion. Nowadays, color mixing is done by machines at night when no one is in the factory. That is why it exploded at night when no one was present. That is called safety!

Sorry - Firework factories exploded in China, Sweden and all over the world. These are factories, real factories not just Rooms! We cannot afford to have a factory in every village, hence we have small factories or large rooms in which fireworks are manufactured. There have been a number of explosions in the past where only the room got destroyed and no fatalities. unfortunately there have been fatalities. Thank God this one had no one injured.

Again it is not lack of safety! There is much lack of safety in construction sites than in fireworks factories!

Ramon Casha

Sep 25th 2009, 13:14

Ever wonder why Maltese fireworks factories never win any international safety awards?

edward ciantar

Sep 25th 2009, 13:09

Fortunately no one was injured was, maybe, due to the fact that it was that late in the evening and nobody was present. However I have my doubts of the precautions these dedicated people enforce. Does the authorites ever do spot checks? I wonder!!

Daniel Spiteri

Sep 25th 2009, 12:16

Thanks for all the people that have shown there solidarity with the fireworks people of St Joseph Fireworks Factory, and also thanking God that no-one was injured.

Michael Borg

Sep 25th 2009, 11:29

Ghalxejn tghidu u tiktbu ghax in-Nar jibqa popolari. Hu mil-Kapijiet tal-Pajjiz, meta jkun hawn xi haga organizzata bhal dhul ta' Malta fl-Ewropa, tinfetah xi Lukanda, Jinfetah xi sptar etc.

Jigifieri ghalxejn titkellmu u tghidu kontra n-nar ax jibqa popolari u grazzi li min jorganizza u jdahhal in-Nar.

Ghalxejn tgergru!!!! Anzi ibqu gergru halli jitkabbar in-Nar u mhux jonqos.

Alla hares ma jkunx in-Nar li ghalih jigu 4 turisti fis-Sajf.

Dejjem igergru l-Maltin!!!!

Joe xuereb

Sep 25th 2009, 11:29

The same mindset that reacts to the condemnation of killing birds as a hobby is at work here. People are understandably resistant to anyone criticising their hobby of 'playing with fire' (pun intended). However, had a single person died in this incident, then their tune would have had to be different. How could it be otherwise. There will be other accidents - I hope not before you shoot the messenger - and there will be deaths. It is a track-record thing. Some things are inevitable. It is their nature. One must be careful. But one can only be so careful. It is the nature of the beast.

DVella

Sep 25th 2009, 10:51

@ Chris Grech

you would be far better served to query who sets the standard and specifications for the safety of these fireworks factories and who ensures that they are up to scratch (if any such standards actually exist at all ! ! !), than to question other people's perfectly legitimate right to express their opinion ! ! !

How may more exploding 'factories', how many more deaths, injuries and damage to property will it take before this whole fireworks carnival is properly regulated ?? (!) It was just sheer chance that nobody happened to be injured or killed in this particular incident ! !

pierre mifsud

Sep 25th 2009, 10:48

kemm hawn min jiehu pjacir meta jinqala xi haga ekk.... timtlew bil ferh .. fireworks forever

Mario Zammit

Sep 25th 2009, 10:45

Good Work from the Civil Protection and the St. Joseph Group. Keep it up for your good work.

darren abela

Sep 25th 2009, 10:28

good job from everyone, specially for those who help to put all things in order.
To Peter korsten, good words you say, but unfortunately, you don't know how firework factory is built. that's why rooms are meters away from another, so if one explodes, the other(if it is closed well ) is safe

John Inguanez

Sep 25th 2009, 10:23

The fact that only was room was destroyed proves that when fireworks factories are built according to modern plans and away from the inhabited areas, the danger and damages are minimal.
The fireworks factories of both Ghaxaq Band clubs are built according to plans, and one of them was even moved to a far off area, so that it would not be near to the housing estate.
Good luck to all those who work there

Deo Catania

Sep 25th 2009, 10:20

@ Joseph Borg u Chris Grech. Il-paroli fil-vojt taghkom morru ghiduh lill-qraba tal-vittmi li matul is-snin mietu habba li splodiet il-kamra tan-nar li kienu fiha ha naraw kemm taqtaw figura tajba mbaghad. Li kieku thalluna bi kwietna intom zgur li taqtaw figura ahjar.

Paula Briffa

Sep 25th 2009, 10:06

At least no one got injured and there wasn't another explosion.

Chris Grech

Sep 25th 2009, 09:17

@victor galea

kiku ma titkellimx, taqta figura ahjar...

Peter Korsten

Sep 25th 2009, 08:59

Very brave to be there within minutes, because if there had been another explosion, they might have gotten killed.

J Farrugia

Sep 25th 2009, 08:53

Vic tor your comments are nauseating, out of synch.

KCamilleri

Sep 25th 2009, 08:51

Great news than no one was injured. This is to show that safety proceedures are being followed. Since generally explosions do occur when the color is being mixed, nowadays color is mixed automatically by a machine when no one is in the factory so that if an accident occurs and the mixture explodes no one is killed.

There is some safety after all not like some people say!

Joseph Borg

Sep 25th 2009, 08:28

Mr Victor Galea,
Qisu qadt ma gara xi accident hawn Malta, pero kif jirigwardja in-nar, xi haga kbira u halli ghal nies li ma jhobbux dawn l-affarjiet biex jikkumentaw fil-vojt.

Sibu Hobby iehor, l hena taghkom tmaqdru, possibli ma jkollkomx fhiex tghedew?

Halluna bi kwietna.

Mario Farrugia

Sep 25th 2009, 08:19

Any witnesses as to whether the factory was hit by lightning prior to the explosion? Lightning strikes are known to ignite explosions in areas where pyrotechnics are manufactured and stored. Ideally these buildings should have lightning protection.

G.Portelli

Sep 25th 2009, 07:22

Sad news but things that can happen. To all fireworks enthusiasts - Please be careful when working fireworks. Things can go wrong unexpectedly. My support goes to the St. Joseph fireworks factory of Ghaxaq -keep up your good work.

KEITH FENECH

Sep 25th 2009, 01:57

Thank God no one was injured in this unfortunate accident. Well done to the police and civil protection officers that were on the spot within less than five minutes. They together with fireworks enthusiasts acted swiftly to prevent a bigger accident.

Another thanks go to those who showed their support with these fireworks enthusiasts.

Alfred Grech

Sep 25th 2009, 01:24

Shocking news but thanks God no one seems to have been hurt by the explosion.

Victor Galea

Sep 25th 2009, 01:14

Same old story. Which one is next?

Thanks to Saint Joseph and co. that no one is dead.