Christian Peregin
Explosion sparked by man's 'flash of madness'
Blown up room rebuilt in three days
The explosion shook nearby residences but no one was injured. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
The man responsible for the recent Għargħur fireworks factory explosion told police he lit a petard just outside the fireworks factory due to a "flash of madness".
Villagers who spoke to The Sunday Times on condition of anonymity described the 44-year-old as a "depressed hunter" who suffered "serious psychological withdrawals".
Known to be a quiet man who was deeply involved in village life, he worked at the San Bartolomeo fireworks factory for more than two decades and had a class B licence that enabled him to assist, but not to mix chemicals, sources said.
When questioned by the police over the incident, he could not explain why he violated the factory's regulations of testing fireworks. All he could say was that he was blinded by a fit of insanity, sources said.
Although the explosion was heard in many parts of Malta, and shook nearby residences, no one was injured because a man who was with him at the time realised what was happening, grabbed him and ensured they ran for their lives.
Fortunately, the building where the chemicals and explosives used to manufacture fireworks are stored was not touched by the flames.
However, as a precaution, residents in houses overlooking the valley were evacuated for at least three hours until the fire abated.
The man's licence has been revoked and he is unlikely to get it back. Sources close to his colleagues said they would never be able to accept him back in their fold, even though he was a close friend.
Despite having suffered from severe shock after the incident, villagers said the perpetrator "came back to his senses" when he realised his licence would be revoked. He is now said to be in a stable condition.
The incident occurred only a few weeks before the parish's centenary celebrations, which will now be held with the incident still fresh in everyone's mind.
Yet, despite the financial blow as well as the shock and emotional distress of the fireworks enthusiasts and their families, the team are determined to continue with their plans for a special festa that starts next week.
Within three days they rebuilt the blown up store room and in the past two weeks took part in the fireworks festival on the Floriana Granaries and the one at the Grand Harbour, in which they placed third.
"We are trying to overcome what happened to us. Such incidents are painful and scary," one fireworks enthusiast said, adding that the tradition is in the blood and can never be put aside, regardless of the dangers involved.
Next Sunday, the San Bartolomeo factory begin centenary celebrations of their parish church - a joint anniversary celebrating 400 years since the church was built and 100 years since fireworks began being let off.
Their celebrations will run until May 16 and will include folk music, traditional food, exhibitions and the launching of a book about the history of fireworks in Għargħur.
The incident was the second fireworks factory explosion this year. Last February, two men died at the St Sebastian factory in Qormi.
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26 Comments
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S Vella
May 3rd 2010, 11:31
It is extremely unfair and incorrect to associate this crime with hunting. One should see the background and the behaviour of this person in whole before commenting on "depressed hunter". I am sure there are other social problems disturbing this person in order to do something crazy like this. Maybe it would be of great help to this victim and the society as a whole to give him help by refering him to a programm to rehabilitate.
Stella Calleja
May 2nd 2010, 22:34
Another thing I can't understand is why do people have to DO something in order to be happy in their life? Drinking, gambling, hunting, fireworks, drugs, cars, buying expensive stuff etc... I don't get it. OK as long as it's legal and you do it sometimes and enjoy it, it's fine. But to be dependent on it is wrong I think.. Many people I know cannot enjoy themselves on Saturday night unless they get drunk. I don't understand that. I think this hunters case is similar. They can't be happy unless they're shooting birds. But why? What about trying to understand what motivates them to be bird-killing machines?
r sammut
May 2nd 2010, 20:20
Why subject just people carrying guns to psychological test? Why not also drivers, kitchen ware users… Nobody under the sun has any immunity syndrome from a bout of madness at one point or other! Finger pointing is all too odious!
P Agius
May 2nd 2010, 22:24
That's why we should be careful to whom we give firearms!!! These people shouldn't be left unattended let alone with a firearm in their hands!!!!
Paul Gatt
May 2nd 2010, 20:12
To all anti's, since when does the view of the local villagers mean a thing to you lot, you are just a total bunch of people who are always the 1st people to throw the 1st stone!!!!!!
If he was diagnosed by a doctor then i would share the same views but come on guys, it is all hear say and as always, reported obviously by TOM and with anonymity...how strange!!!!!
if it is now you all listen and agree with the villagers you must also agree with their hobbies and traditions? you cant disagree now, what is good for the goose is good for the gander, they said he was depressed and you all agreed... and because he is a hunter you throw more mud,maybe another blob will stick.
@Paul Barrett, are you British? If so, i sure wouldnt like my children to be taught by the teacher who hit a student round the head with a dumbell......because he was depressed!!!!!!
With anonymity anyone can say anything, just think of other things people can say!!!!
Karl Abela
May 2nd 2010, 16:48
Issoltu, for some guys like stephen muscat it is always the governments fault. Seems to me that people like you are on a boring life long mission to find faults and put them on the government. Get a life and enjoy it. I know you must be desperate that labour has been in opposition for a quarter century, but please, whats this man's madness got to do with the government? Ghax qatalu l-kacca tghid?
C.Busuttil
May 2nd 2010, 22:25
Jien la min jien favur u l-anqas kontra l-kacca biss naf nies li ghandhom qraba li ghamlu suwicidju minhabba l-kacca . Ghalija bla sens tnehhi hajtek minhabba erba ghasafar, biss nifhem li hawn min ghandu dan id-delizju u aktar jekk kien hemm weghdi elettorali, l-htija ta' dawn l-imwiet huma kollha ta' minn ghamilhom u dan nghidu bhala Nazzjonalist. Ghax il-hazin, hazin jibqa dejjem u mhux konvenjenza politika.
DAWK KOLLHA f'din il-websajt li jghaddu biz-zmien lill-kaccaturi ghax qeghdin f'stat ta' depressjoni nispera li jkollkom il-kuragg tghadduhom biz-zmien f'wicchom jew f'dawk tal-familjari taghhom ha naraw kemm ghandkom il-guts taghmlu hekk ghax wara keyboard kulhadd hero. Mill-kliem ghall-fatti hemm bahar jikkumbatti
Hemm proverbju iehor bil-malti li jghidlek biex ma tixtieqx deni ghax .........
stephen muscat
May 2nd 2010, 15:39
imsieken dawn in nies x martirju qed jaghddu minnu u disperazzjoni .trid tkun nassab jew kaccatur biex tifhem lil dawn in nies ghax dawn kien mweghdin xi haga bil miktub mil gvern li ma zammx kellmtu,nispera li l gvern jerfa r responsabilta tal martirju li ghaddejjin minnu dawn in nies u l familji taghhom
C.ZARB
May 2nd 2010, 16:53
There is 1 thing which is more stupid then hunting and its putting your life on the line so that the mostru tal kartapesta can see the fireworks.
k.pace
May 2nd 2010, 17:17
Get a life will you. Preferably the type of life a bird has flying over our island.
P Agius
May 2nd 2010, 22:23
X' martirju hu li qed issemmi? Il-martirju li jghaddu minnhu l-aghasafar meta jintlaqtu bic-comb? Ara qieghedin sew ta' igergru li ma jistghux joqtlu !!!!
D Delia
May 2nd 2010, 13:16
Our population seems to be developing a Sylvester-Tweety Bird Syndrome. Now we can safely establish that the state of our well being/sanity depends on shooting birds.
What an absurd excuse to justify sheer madness!
r curmi
May 2nd 2010, 12:50
And we let such people run around with shotguns? How long before another gun toting individual gets another flash of madness?
and funny the usual hunter diffusers are not around this time. Usually when trees get broken, when blm or cabs are violently attacked and so on they are always out claiming that its not the hunters behind these crazy attacks. Guess truth is coming out at last it seems.
Johnny Xerri
May 2nd 2010, 20:54
As long as you keep away from hunters private land, as long as the government sticks with the pre-referendum and pre-election 'guarantee', as long as the hunter is allowed to practice hunting within the parameters of the Bird Directive nobody has anything to fear.
Hunting has been practiced for ages in Malta, and never was there any violence associated with the activity and its members. Now that hunters have been taken for a ride things are changing.
The responsablity has to be borne by those who stole the hunters vote. Those who are inciting the government to go agianst the pre-referendum and pre-election manifesto, those who are creating prejudice.
Kelb riqed la tqajmux. Specjalment jekk wedtu li ser thalih riqed
Jason Borg
May 2nd 2010, 23:06
@ J. Xerri - kemm theddid u paroli vojt. Kelb rieqed la tqajmux u jekk tqajmu u jibda jigdem, taghlaqlu halqu bis-sarima halli ma jigdimx.
Edward Camilleri
May 2nd 2010, 11:50
Agree with Eric Gahn.
We cannot let persons running around with guns or making fireworks, when they cannot control their emotions. FKNK has said many times that their members are depressed with some already have committed suicide. All those carying arms should have "a periodic psychological assessment" to assess if they can be trusted with a dangerous weapon.
Johnny Xerri
May 2nd 2010, 20:40
Maybe we should also have politicians and a certain PM having "a periodic psychological assessment" to assess if they can be trusted with running an electoral campaign.
Eric Camilleri
May 2nd 2010, 23:33
How about starting your "periodic psychological assessment" with the biggest proven dangerous weapon of all - CAR DRIVERS.
J Oatmon
May 2nd 2010, 10:47
So in Malta we can have mentally disturbed people handling explosives near in our villages. Also of course there are those with criminal records handling these explosives - what a bizzare and stupidly dangerous situation.
For example a 'fireworks enthusiast' can also be a convicted violent criminal, who gets into a dispute with a neigbhour, and takes action due to a "flash of madness".
Johnny Xerri
May 2nd 2010, 20:59
@ least we don't have people shooting in schools, and all the violence that the UK has.
Mr Oatmon, as I had already told you in another post, if you are so unhappy with the situation that Malta finds itself in you are free to choose to reside in any other EU member state.
I really cannot understand why you live in Malta, since you take every opportunity to discredit Malta. It would be mad to live in a country which all you can do is speak negatively about.
M Buhagiar
May 2nd 2010, 23:42
We even remember the case of Jamie that poor child from Liverpool. His murderers where given another chance and under a hidden identity after killing this poor child. They maybe one day be your neighbours
loran barbara
May 2nd 2010, 10:29
The same psychological assessment should be given to drivers of vehicles then !!
victor pulis
May 2nd 2010, 10:05
Villagers who spoke to The Sunday Times on condition of anonymity described the 44-year-old as a "depressed hunter" who suffered "serious psychological withdrawals".
I remember one of the slogans used by hunters to defend their 'hobby' was; 'Ahjar kacca Milli Droga' Now that his remaining hobby has been taken away it would be wise to monitor this person in case he has another 'flash of madness which could have serious consequences.
no further comment is needed.
Paul Barrett
May 2nd 2010, 09:56
Poor chap is probably even more depressed now he has lost his licence to assist in making fireworks.
I am not sure I would like to be in the same area as him when he is hunting - just in case he has another fit of extreme depression.
Eric Gahn
May 2nd 2010, 09:47
This shows the need that anyone dealing with fireworks and firearms neds to have a periodic psychological assessment prior to being issued a license.
Paul Caruana
May 2nd 2010, 10:28
Agreed, but perhaps the people who cause such depression in other should be the first to be examined.