Juan Ameen
Fireworks enthusiast fights for his life
Humidity hazardous when mixing explosives
Police, soldiers and civil protection personnel near the fireworks factory at Tas-Silġ, yesterday. Photo: Jason Borg
A fireworks enthusiast is battling for his life after taking the full force of a blast in an explosion at St Catherine's Fireworks Factory in Marsaxlokk while preparing for the Żejtun feast next month.
John Abela, 62, of Żejtun was critically injured and suffered serious burns when the chemicals of a petard he was working on exploded at the factory at Tas-Silġ at about 10 a.m. yesterday.
Mr Abela was not alone in the factory. There were another four men working with him.
Pierre Mifsud, 33, also from Żejtun, was seriously injured when he burnt his hand.
Mario Farrugia, 29, of Żejtun, Anthony Farrugia, 42, of Fgura and Mr Abela's 39-year-old son, Salvu, were also at the factory but escaped with slight injuries.
Mr Abela, known to his friends as Ġanni s-Sagristan, only recently stepped down from his active role as sacristan at the Żejtun parish to dedicate himself completely to preparing the fireworks for the upcoming feast.
He was working in a small room under a carob tree on the property when the explosion occurred, sources said. None of the other factory buildings, including the store where the chemicals and explosives were kept, were touched by the explosion.
Minutes after the blast was heard, Civil Protection Department personnel and the police were on site assisting the victims. Mr Abela and Mr Mifsud were immediately rushed to hospital. The other three were given first aid on site and then taken to Mater Dei Hospital.
Police Inspector Pierre Micallef Grimaud, who happened to be in the area taking photos of the fields, heard the blast.
"I was trying to take a few photos of two tractors tilling the field and was about to take my first picture when I heard a powerful blast that rocked the ground. I looked around and saw a cloud and immediately contacted the police headquarters about the incident," he said.
One resident who lives close by in Marsaxlokk said she heard the blast echoing over the fields and ran out to see what happened. "It was really loud."
While carefully watching and waiting for news, residents commented how yesterday's high humidity and southerly wind were hazardous factors when mixing explosives. "It is the worst day ever to work on explosives. It is extremely dangerous because of the humidity," one resident said.
An explosives expert said it was highly recommended not to mix the explosives in weather conditions such as yesterday's. "The chemicals should not be handled in humid weather because there could easily be a spark and a spontaneous combustion."
St Catherine's fireworks factory is licensed in Mr Abela's name. He has been involved since the 1970s when, together with other fireworks enthusiasts, he had started collecting money to buy the land in Tas-Silġ.
The factory was yesterday sealed off and explosives experts will continue with their work there today.
This is the third fireworks factory explosion this year. The last one was almost three weeks ago in Għargħur when, luckily, no one was injured. Two men died at the St Sebastian factory in Qormi last February.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
26 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
IVNA GRIXTI
May 5th 2010, 19:08
As a staunch FESTA enthusiast I would like to make the relatives of these injured men aware that I will be offering special prayers for their speedy recovery. In the meantime once again it seems something is wrong in the production process and it is high time we organise a school were such volunteers are re-trained and made aware of any modern safety precautions which they may adopt so as to minimise the risk of having further incidents. May such an indigenous trade continue to exist in our country.
M. Bonavia
May 5th 2010, 18:21
@M.Borg, qed tirreferi ghal dak li deher fuq one TV allijistajkun? ma tantx jidher espert ta ghax niddubita kemm jaf x'inhu skartocc. U l persuna li weggghet gravi f'din l-ispluzjoni ma kinitx qed thallat f'xi kamra bhalma qalu fil-gazzetti izda kin qieghed barra bhalma jitolbu l-proceduri, kieku kien jigri dizatru ikbar, believe me!!!! Ahjar tkunu tafu sew x'gara w ma garax qabel ma kulhadd jibda jparla ghax l-inews u l-gazzetti ta taht fuq qalbuha l-istorja, w kulhadd qed jaghti t tort lil min kien qed jahdem!!!!!
M. Borg
May 5th 2010, 17:54
"An explosives expert said it was highly recommended not to mix the explosives in weather conditions such as yesterday's. "The chemicals should not be handled in humid weather because there could easily be a spark and a spontaneous combustion."
Have these people ever heard of controlled environment? Are these amateurs really allowed to mix these dangerous chemicals in a room which is not climate controlled as a minimum? Are we living in some God forsaken banana republic in a third world contintent? Absolutely pathetic!
Mario Aquilina
May 5th 2010, 17:40
The thing most people cannot handel is the truth. The truth hurts.
You think that a couple of Hail Mary's will sort these problems out. You think that a prayer will help the widows and the children that are left behind, every time these problems arise. We will be here again next week and the one after, and the one after that.
What helps out, is to be safe, and stay away from unnecessary danger.
@R.Aguis: You hit the nail on the head with your version of 'rispett'.
M. BONAVIA
May 5th 2010, 17:32
Imma kif certu nies ma jisthux minn dak li jghidu??? ma nistax nifem kif tista ma jimpurtakx minn dawn in nies, u da kollu ghax ghandhom id delizzju tal loghob tan nar!!!! Tithajrux tmorru titqarbnu wara li tiktbu da d diskors!!!!Trid tkun veru bla demm biex ma tithassarx lil min wegga u l familjari taghhom, li jien stess wahda minnhom!!
R. Agius
May 5th 2010, 16:42
C. Busuttil
Why are you getting so hot under the collar about "insensitive people" who are not tearing their hair out at this incident. The last time a person died from a fireworks explosion, people like you were coming on these blogs telling us to mind our own business "u tindahlux fid-delizzju taghna ghax nafu l-periklu li qed nidhlu ghalih". Do you expect us then to feel sorry? To quote the Maltese you so like: Min jilghab man-nar jinharaq.
As regards the "rispett", how can we have any respect for these people when they have none for the loved ones they leave behind at home who worry on a daily basis whether they will see them back home in one piece (literally) in the evening? If they don;t give a damn about the wife who they can eaily make a widow or the children, orphans - all because of a "vizzju" or "passjoni" - why should we care when the roulette wheel stops on their number?
Anthony Borg
May 5th 2010, 17:26
A comment that makes sense to a senseless "delizzju"
Joey Grech
May 5th 2010, 16:07
Are the authorities responsible for people's safety or do they just NOT CARE IN THE LEAST?
Renato Camilleri
May 5th 2010, 15:43
I was under the impression that dry weather helps to create static electricity. Humidity will help to dissipate the charge! Well maybe he was working with a moisture sensitive composition! I believe that nowadays we have equipment that controls room temp. and humidity. It is called HVAC!
Anthony Borg
May 5th 2010, 13:38
Nations around the world struggle to contain madmen blowing themselves up in bomb-terrorism. Here, we blow ourselves up, year-in-year out. Only consolation is no innocent passerby was injured by this mindless activity.
C.Busuttil
May 5th 2010, 15:48
Isthi jekk taf, tqabel terroristi ma nies li qatt m'ghamlu deni li hadd Missek Tisthi !!!!!! L-anqas biss rispett m'ghandek lejn proxxmu tieghek u l-anqas lejn il-familjari tieghu. Ghalfejn ma tmurx saz-Zejtun u tghidilhom f'wicchom dwar dak li ktibt hawn, nassigurak li malajr tmurlek l-arja li tinhebba wara keyboard.
Imma x'nies intom!!!!!!!!
Anthony Borg
May 5th 2010, 17:22
It's for this same reason I do not waste my time and go down to where you indicated. These people cannot be reasoned with: they continue to blow themselves up. Luckily no innocent passerby got injured by this madness. I am sure no one would reason as you did if some family member got killed or maimed as they were passing by.
Theresa Demanuele
May 5th 2010, 13:20
I feel that at this difficult time, it is more appropriate to say a prayer for the critically injured person and his relatives, than to pass comments or judgements.
Whilst everyone has a right to an opinion or judgement, it may perhaps be more appropriate to do that in private. Let us show respect and solidarity - spare a thought & say a prayer!
May I also suggest that certain comments may be inappropriate in such circumstances.
Mario Aquilina
May 5th 2010, 12:54
@Daniel Zahra.
You are so blind, that you cannot see. Sure it is not nice to see anybody getting hurt, whether it is a human or an animal. You know the risk and you know the price. Period.
This and similar accidents, like falling five floors down are what we bring on ourselves. Then it is always followed by the same rubbish. OH, he was such a nice man, let's pray. Praying gets you nowhere. Common sense does.
Daniel Zahra
May 5th 2010, 13:12
I wouldn't say i am blind cause i can read your insensible comments. But maybe i am senstitive and try keep in mind that relatives of Mr.Abela may read the comments here. And common sense tells me that empathy and sympathy should prevail in these situations. Period.
Saying nonsense gets you nowhere neither!
C.Busuttil
May 5th 2010, 16:13
Praying gets you nowhere. Common sense does.
__________________________________________________
Your comtempt for the believes of others describe you better than anything, Isthi jekk taf
C.Scerri
May 5th 2010, 12:32
Just to get thinsg into perspective - these explosions do not happen only in Malta, at least here they happen in open fields, a good distance away from densely populated areas. In other countries e.g. Netherlands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enschede_fireworks_disaster) these happen in the middle of a town!
J. Debono
May 5th 2010, 11:38
I am not a fan of fireworks, in fact I hate them.
However, I appreciate that they are part of our culture, and that the majority likes them.
In my opinion, fireworks factories should not be closed down. The people working fireworks are mature, trained, very professional people who know they have a dangerous past-time.
However, there should also be some controls, for ex.:-
- Ban untrained people from the vicinity of fireworks, especially children
- MEPA should not give permits to build houses in the vicinity of fireworks factories (like it did in the Iklin, Balzan area)
However, the people working fireworks, should be the first to increase their safety, as they are the ones who will suffer if something go wrong - we cannot continue to point our fingers at the authorities (as frankly they don't care less)
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 5th 2010, 11:03
@John Falzon. Don't you think you're out of line? The fireworks enthusiasts are not forced to dabble in pyrotechnics. They do it at their own risk & are happy about it. Surely you can't blame the authorities for this. As other wise commenters have said, they should close down the factories or else only professional people should be given a licence to produce fireworks. Actually it's a licence to kill, unfortunately. I don't believe the enthusiasts do it to please the majority of traditional catholics but because they get a thrill out of doing dangerous things, such as events you see on World Guiness Book of records. Anyway, let's hope John Abela gets well too. Hope he gets as much prayers as Dr. George Abela, the latter wise enough not to risk his life in vain.
Ramon Casha
May 5th 2010, 10:59
Another
At this rate we should be looking at between 4 and 6 dead people by the end of the year. Pretty bad statistics.
And yet... in all likelihood the only thing that will happen is what always happens - a few words in the media and then, in a few days, it will all be forgotten until it happens again.
Let's face it - nothing is going to be done about it because for many people, having bigger and louder fireworks than the neighbouring villages is more important than a few disposable people.
mario aquilina
May 5th 2010, 10:25
Ban the fireworks and replace it with decent music.
People only watch it, because it is a cheap night out. Going out with tables and chairs, on the by-pass, a sandwich and a cheap bottle of plonk, as that's what the average family can afford.
With the music they can still enjoy a cheap night out, where nobody get's hurt.
Joe Aquilina
May 5th 2010, 10:43
Good Joke Mario. The best I heard for a long time!
Daniel Zahra
May 5th 2010, 12:20
Persuna qieghdha tissielet ma hajjitha u people share jokes. How low can you go?!!!!!
Michelle Buhagiar
May 5th 2010, 16:36
What arrogance! Just because you don't like fireworks, and prefer music, you cannot expect that fireworks be banned and replaced by music. I happen to have a passion for both. And I can assure you that I do not watch fireworks because it is cheap watching them. If this is your idea of what fireworks are, and what they mean to people who are passionate about the art, then you are very narrow minded and you just don't have any idea of what you're talking about.
In saying all this, I'm not implying that I'm cool about people getting hurt or killed in firework accidents. On the contrary, I have the greatest respect for those people who risk their lives in providing such spectacular performances with fireworks. Maybe you do not have any idea of what expertise is required in making fireworks. Maybe you don't realize what masterpieces can be created. That is why you cannot appreciate them, and I really feel sorry for you because I believe you are missing a prominent element of artistic and cultural manifestation.
Thanks & prayers for the victims and their families.
Mario Farrugia
May 5th 2010, 17:02
"With the music they can still enjoy a cheap night out, where nobody get's hurt."
Mhux hekk? Bhal Paceville, per ezempju.....
Vera taf x'tghid, eh!
John Falzon
May 5th 2010, 10:24
Let me make a wild guess here.. A magisterial enquiry will follow.. the results will be out in about four years. And everyone in power is ok with that. Amen.