Factory blast victim dies, feast cancelled

Fireworks enthusiast John Abela, who was seriously injured in last Tuesday's factory blast, died in hospital yesterday.

The 62-year-old Żejtun man succumbed to his injuries at around midday. He had suffered burns on 90 per cent of his body during an explosion at St Catherine's fireworks factory in Marsaxlokk. His right leg was amputated the following day and he was given the Last Rites.

Żejtun parish priest Eric Overend said the outdoor activities of the village feast next month were cancelled as a sign of respect. Fr Overend met feast organisers yesterday before Mr Abela passed away. "There was a unanimous decision to cancel the external celebrations," he told The Sunday Times. Mr Abela was preparing fireworks for the village feast when the explosion took place. His 39-year-old son, Salvu, Mario Farrugia, 29, and Anthony Farrugia, 42 - who were also at the fireworks factory - escaped unharmed while Pierre Mifsud, 33, injured his hand.

According to sources, the victim, known as Ġanni s-Sagristan, was working in a small room under a carob tree when the explosion took place. None of the other factory buildings were affected by the blast.

The high humidity and southerly winds, present on Tuesday, are considered hazardous when mixing explosives. An expert told The Times that chemicals should not be handled in humid weather because there could easily be a spark and a spontaneous combustion.

Mr Abela, who was the fireworks factory's licence holder, had retired as parish sacristan two years ago, after 40 years of service to the church. Fr Overend said the victim had dedicated his life to the village feast, spending many hours every day organising the annual activities.

This was the third fireworks fatality of the year. Alfred Stellini, 55, and 21-year-old Damian Agius died in February after an explosion at the St Sebastian fireworks factory, near Qormi, while two people escaped injury after a fireworks factory exploded in Għargħur last month.