Army explosives experts secure Marsaxlokk fireworks factory site

Army explosives experts cleared the St Catherine’s Fireworks Factory in Marsaxlokk from potential danger after a blast on Tuesday left a man fighting for his life.

Wearing anti-blast gear, personnel from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal entered and secured the site in Tas-Silġ, which was closed for two days after the explosion.

John Abela, known as Ġanni ­ s-Sagristan, of Żejtun is in critical condition after receiving the full force of the blast, which might have been caused by a chemical reaction in the material he was mixing.

On Wednesday, Mr Abela, 62, who suffered severe burns on over 90 per cent of his body, had his right leg amputated and was given the Last Rites.

When the accident occurred, he was preparing the fireworks for the upcoming Żejtun feast in June together with his 39-year-old son, Salvu, Mario Farrugia, 29, of Żejtun and Anthony Farrugia, 42, of Fgura, who escaped unharmed. A fifth man who was also in the factory, Pierre Mifsud, 33, of Żejtun, burnt his hand.

Mr Abela was working in a small room under a carob tree when the explosion took place at about 10 a.m.