Update 10: Three dead, two injured, one missing in Gozo fireworks factory blast
A husband and wife and a 27-year-old man lost their lives in a massive fireworks factory explosion near Gharb in Gozo at about 6.10 p.m on Sunday.
Another man is missing and feared dead while two men aged 32 and 35, are in intensive care at Mater Dei Hospital, having been airlifted by AFM helicopter.
People near the area said they heard three powerful blasts from the factory, located is an isolated valley near Gharb. A mushroom-shaped cloud formed over the scene and debris was scattered over a wide area. A number of cars were destroyed. Windows at some residences near Gharb were shattered.
Policemen and Civil Protection Department rescuers arrrived within a short time and started the search for possible survivors. The search continues on Monday morning.
The victims were all from the same family.
The police said the dead were Noel Farrugia, 31 and his wife Antoinette, 21 of Fontana and 27-year-old Jean Pierre Azzopardi of Zebbug.
Noel's father Ninu is missing.
The two injured men are also related to Ninu. They are his son Ray and his son-in-law Pawlu.
The fireworks were being prepared for the feast of Our Lady of Victories being celebrated in Xaghra on Wednesday. It is understood that most of the fireworks had been manufactured in Malta.
Magistrate Paul Coppini is holding an inquiry.
This was the second explosion at the same site in five years. The other blast, in August 2005, took place during the night. No one was killed or injured.
The tragedy at Gharb is the worst in a bitter year for fireworks enthusiasts. A man died in an explosion at the August 15 fireworks factory in Dwejra, Mosta on August 13 and another died last May at St Catherine’s Fireworks Factory in Marsaxlokk.
Two men lost their lives in February at the St Sebastian Fireworks Factory in Qormi and another two escaped unhurt in another explosion at St Bartolomeo Factory in Gharghur in April.
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Joseph Galea
Sep 7th 2010, 21:37
I will suggest the best 2 options to our government.
Option 1- Move all licensed firework factories to kemmuna. If one of them blows up ,no other civilians will be hurt. If I am not wrong ,Kemmuna used to be a target practice by the English army. So there will be no ecological impact in case of an explosion.
Option 2 - Issue tenders to foreign fireworks contractors and ban all local manufacture.
Adriana Zahra
Sep 7th 2010, 16:36
PAGANIZMU TOTALI go dal pajjiz ara il-Madonna jew xi qaddies iehor iridx li joqodu jaharqu dawk il-murtali kollha tal-festa jezzu Malta !!! Certi irhula idumu jaharqu kaxxa tal-hrug u tad-dhul 20 minuta jew aktar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hela ta flus u storbju li jdejjaq lil min ma jhobbx dan id -dellizzju bla sens Bum Bum u daqs hekk u nbad xi nghidu ghall vittmi u il-familji taghhom li jhallu warajhom ,ahjar il-flus li tonfqu ittuhom Karita ghax tkunu qedin taghmlu gid lil xi hadd u il-Madonna u il-Qaddis tar-rahal ittuh aktar pjacir b'emilkom!!!!!!!!! jew ahna insara tal kelma !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PAGANIZMU
J Micallef
Sep 7th 2010, 17:02
Il-paganizmu mhux jekk tahraq murtal ad unur xi qaddis - il-paganizmu hu meta tpoggi flusek u lilek innifsek qabel Alla.... elemantari ruhi.
Il-pajjizi kollha ghandhom ritwali u tradizzjonijiet differenti - ezempju fi Siena jaghmlu tlielaq taz-zwiemel perikoluzissimi ad unur il-MAdonna.... Min jaf joghgbuhiex?
Bil-haqq l-Air Malta rahsu - u llum anke low cost tista tirkeb...
marthese gauci
Sep 7th 2010, 07:35
Can someone tell me how fireworks which are prepared in Malta transported to Gozo!
A. Portelli
Sep 7th 2010, 10:42
On a barge and not on any of the Gozo Channel ships.
Neville Cassar
Sep 7th 2010, 12:54
And where does the barge dock and the fireworks are unloaded? How are they transported over to their `safe` depot?
Is their truck clearly labeled " FIREWORKS.... STAY AWAY.... WELL AWAY... " from this truck.
Adriana Zahra
Sep 7th 2010, 16:39
Mela tabella daqs dinja Jwahhlu !!!!!!!!!!!!! Ma tarax !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bicca bandiera hamra suppost ikun hemm mal- vettura li tkun qeda igorr il-murtali jekk ikollha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maria Brincat
Sep 6th 2010, 23:13
It is truly sad when something like this happens, especially in a year that has been marked by these tragedies. we've seen too many this year. But, instead of pushing to eliminate fireworks from our festi, why don't we try to see what's going wrong and try to find solutions? Could it be that some of the chemicals used in the fireworks - which are imported - are somehow damaged and therefore exploding more easily. With one firework factory exploding, you could call it human error or even carelessness, but with so many in less than a year it is highly unlikely. if anything, people will be even more careful with so many deaths.
And if the tragedies are occurring during the transport of fireworks, which is supposed to be the least dangerous phase, why don't we seriously consider having some sort of depot where finished fireworks can be stored in cool conditions?
A festa without fireworks is no festa at all. These poor souls who get killed, as well as anyone who makes fireworks are fully aware of the risks they take each time they go to the fireworks factory. Lots of things are dangerous, not just fireworks.
michael scott
Sep 6th 2010, 13:00
Over the years i have commented sadly on these tradgedys and my uppermost thoughts and prayers have always been for the families of those involved.I am utterly at a loss to understand why so many people lose their lives in these incidents.Why are these factories allowed to continue?,why is NOTHING done it seems to improve safety procedures within?,Why do you rarely hear a politician speak on these matters and vow to eradicate this huge problem?.Would it not be wise to allow safety experts in from other countries experienced in firework producement?.One thing i can never understand on the island that i love is the fascination with fireworks and the money spent on them.
mariella busuttil
Sep 6th 2010, 07:54
I do strongly beleive, you are right with your comments, and totally agree with both of you (P.Borg,C.cachia) and others who have the same opinion, and I think its time to think so deeply about all those victims and something has to be done.As you said ,feasts can be done without fireworks.It hurts so much to have victims from your family who are taken away in such horrible accidents!May God be with the victims relatives in those sad moments.
Alexander G Farrugia
Sep 6th 2010, 07:32
Ever heard of the Seveso II Directive? Probably no...since the only Directives which seem to concern the local interest are those involving feathered creatures!
More lately the EU set up other regulations regarding firework sale (DIRECTIVE 2007/23/EC), but probably, as a report confirms, we managed to defend our traditions....
"Malta in principle supports the Directive, but has requested exemptions for hand made fireworks used at religious festivals and which are not sold on to consumers. The Commission should be prepared to discuss this issue during the meetings in the Council working group following the adoption of the draft proposal." (http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/chemicals/files/doc/pyro_impact_assess_en.pdf), and in fact the mentioned Directive states that: "(8)...In view of religious, cultural and traditional festivities in the Member States, fireworks built by the manufacturer for
his own use and which have been approved by a Member State for use on its territory should not be considered as having been placed on the market and should not therefore
need to comply with this Directive."
Well done to our bureaucrats!
marcelle borg
Sep 6th 2010, 07:24
I love festi and fireworks, even though i'm not involved. But it gives me satisfication seeing the talents and dedication of these people. It's very sad to hear such news just a few weeks after mosta's explosion. However i do not think it is appropriate to blame the church or the government! I am sure that if some form of legal action is taken to stop these fireworks, the talented workers would be the first poeple not to accept!! This is their passion! They would literally die to work on fireworks! They do not want regulations! They just lvove showing their work.....and lets face it....they do gather large crowds in festas! Its their hobby, their passion. Rockclimbing is dangerous, and so is absailing! They are dangerous too.
P. Borg
Sep 6th 2010, 07:06
While I express my deepest sympathy towards the victims and their families, I still would like to stress out an important point. It is time that fireworks are abolished or drastically reduced. How many more lives are going to be lost in this so called hobby?
To all those that I am sure will comment on my remarks I just would like to highlight something. This year only we have already lost I think about ten people, let alone in the past years. If you look at all cases, this has not happened once or twice but has been happening every month now. Aren't you going to look at the real facts? How many more deaths are needed to make you realise how many families fireworks factories have torn apart. How many more children have to loose their dad just because of a so called hobby? The feast can be beautiful even without a life threatening hobby.
Matthew Vella
Sep 6th 2010, 10:12
@P. Borg and other people who state the fireworks should be abolished every time we hear of a tragedy: the situation will not improve by imposing a ban - the result will probably be that enthusiasts will go underground with their hobby & work. We need to increase awareness and education and control the use of material (inclusive of quality). And if any contributor is about to say that I'm in favour of fireworks bla bla don't bother wasting time. IF a batch of inferior quality material was imported some of it is probably still around
P. Borg
Sep 7th 2010, 07:30
So, what are your submissions to make it better? The fireworks factory of Santa marija Mosta was told to be the most secure and up to standards, yet look what happened. There is nothing that can be done, fireworks remain dangerous and a contract to death. How many more restrictions have to be introduced? Yet people will still continue to die. It's just a matter of time all of them will get into an explosion (hope I'm very wrong) and this is a pity because they are so stubborn and deaf that they don't want to realise how much life is important. It's not worth bargaining it for a hobby or for a bum bum disappearing in seconds.
How many innocent people have to die, and how many more children have to grow up without a parent? No matter how much security you have, if you throw a cigarette near a petrol tank it will still explode, the same applies to such factories.
chris cachia
Sep 6th 2010, 06:53
Politicians, it's about time you put popularity and votes to the side and act! It's not a matter of stopping feast, it's a matter of saving lives. We are not the only country that produces fireworks but I am sure we are the only one in Europe that accept so many lives lost. Standards must be EXTREMELY poor! ACTION PLEASE! Let's see who are the real politicians who love their country!
Dennis Zammit
Sep 6th 2010, 06:40
During a fireworks licence course I attended years ago, the AFM bomb expert had stated that in Malta, fireworks accidents are never related to transportation except the patrol boat accident.
What has changed this year? Why so close to the feast day when everything is ready?
In the Mosta explosion, one could blame the temperature or else, an unorthodox procedure where large fireworks are reopened on the last days to 'modify' some problems noticed on earlier days.
These are surely not the case in the Gharb explosion. The explosion happened at 6.10 pm and yesterday's temperature was not that high. Further more, most of the fireworks where 'imported' from other fireworks factories and therefore, all readily sealed and marked to be fired.
Therefore, what is common as many former reasons could be unique occasions?
. . . .
Mark Vella
Sep 6th 2010, 06:32
Hellloooooooo ..... Gonzi .... Joseph ..... & Friends ..... wake up! Time to take actions! Ahjar flok il-ministri jmorru fuq il-post jaraw it-tragedja ..... jaraw kif ser isolvu l-problema! Tal-Misthija dal-pajjiz! Biex inparlaw u nippoppaw sidirna tajbin .... fejn tidhol l-ghadma iebsa kullhadd ifarfar! TAKE ACTION NOW ! Condolences to the family!
Dennis Zammit
Sep 6th 2010, 06:17
During a fireworks licence course I attended years ago, the AFM bomb expert had stated that in Malta, fireworks accidents are never related to transportation except the patrol boat accident.
What has changed this year? Why so close to the feast day when everything is ready?
In the Mosta explosion, one could blame the temperature or else, an unorthodox procedure where large fireworks are reopened on the last days to 'modify' some problems noticed on earlier days.
These are surely not the case in the Gharb explosion. The explosion happened at 6.10 pm and yesterday's temperature was not that high. Further more, most of the fireworks where 'imported' from other fireworks factories and therefore, all readily sealed and marked to be fired.
Therefore, what is common as many former reasons could be unique occasions?
. . . .
anthony vella
Sep 6th 2010, 05:21
my condolences to the families.....in 1968, we had we had a fireworks explosion in our village and one person had died in the accident. we had a fireworks explosion the year before that, this time no one was hurt. we had another explosion not too long ago, when two persons, both of them related to me had died. may God help them all in peace. but let me come to the point i would like to make. in the first accident, in 1968, i remember an older man was hired as a fireworks expert, to help sort out the mess we had. some years later, this man was also killed in a fireworks explosion. i cant remember how many people lost their lives in such accidents. i believe that the authorities should 'inspect, investigate...do whatever it takes' to reduce these accidents...when we had very little fireworks we still had our share of accidents, but now we compete and almost encourage the young boys to make more next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
perhaps this is wrong......why not make less fireworks, after all its all the same...may God help those who passed away, the injured and their families. very concerned
Tony Borg (Melbourne)
Sep 6th 2010, 04:36
It is always very sad when there is loss of life. I cannot even imagine how the families and friends of these people feel. I hope that they get all the help they need, both from the community and and the governing bodies.
Obviously there are many fireworks manufacturers around Europe. How do their safety record compare with that of ours? Do they have as many deaths and injuries as we do in Malta per capita of the number of employies in the same industry of course? If not what are we doing differently? This year has been exceptionally bad for Malta and more so for those directly affected by these tragedies, I hope we shall have no more.
I totally agree with those who believe that there should be a ban on fireworks until such time proper investigations are carried out and safety proceedures are implimented; with a responsible body to oversee that these laws are adhered to. If need be bring qualified inspectors from overseas if that works better. It's a human defect, we tend to slacken off and take short cuts. One cannot afford to take short cuts or skacken off the rules with explosive materials.
t. borg
Sep 6th 2010, 04:10
il-kmamar tan-nar ghandhom jispiccaw darba ghal dejjem. povri familji.
L Camilleri
Sep 6th 2010, 03:03
The people of Xaghra feel great sorrow for this tragedy. When news was unfolding and before the full extent of the tragedy was known, the Archpriest called an emergency meeting of the Central Committe of the feast of Maria Bambina and in no time the unanimous decision was reached to cancel fortwith all outdoor celebrations for the rest of the day. This way they wanted to show solidarity with the victims and their families.
Wayne Magri
Sep 6th 2010, 01:57
The government MUST do something about this, and I strongly emphasize about this point, many lives are being lost because of small stupid unprofessional mistakes; I don't know the cause of this explosion but it's always because of unprofessional ism in the field. In my opinion there should be one pyrotechnic factory in Malta, from which all localities could buy the fireworks and pyrotechnics from, with hard rules and laws, not to mention professional people in this field.. 3 explosions in less than a year...:(
Emelia Caruana
Sep 6th 2010, 01:48
THIS is getting very crazy I just wrote recently about one in MALTA something must be done URGENTLY I cant understand the mentality of the MALTESE GOVERNMENT watching all these PEOPLE DYING because of inexperience and just too many fireworks in MALTA.There must be A LAW today to BAN the making of them all over houses in MALTA and GOZO anyone can DIE just walking past . if MR GONZI cant see this he needs to WAKE up Enforce it make it against the LAW its outdated primitive MALTA needs to CHANGE there SPIRITUAL MENTALITY and do SACRED CEREMONIES instead of STATUES and competition men who pay HUGE AMOUNTS of EURO to carry a man made STATUE when the money could be spent helping the maltese people who need help " DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU" not STATUES and FIREWORKS
Aaron Agius
Sep 6th 2010, 01:30
You know what ?
No one mentioned that Hal Ghaxaq won the fireworks festival int Spain....If it's football,tennis or something else only foreworks brought back home an honor and i'm so proud to say that I work fore wprks and i'm 20 years old