Updated: Body of fourth fireworks explosion victim found
Rescuers of the Civil Protection Department this morning found the body of Ninu Farrugia, the fourth victim of yesterday afternoon's explosion at the Farrugia Brothers fireworks factory near Gharb.
The search for Mr Farrugia, who had owned the factory, resumed at 7.30 a.m.
Three other victims were found late yesterday.
They were Ninu's son Noel 31, and his wife Antoinette 27 of Fontana and Jean-Pierre Azzopardi, 27 of Zebbug, Gozo. (Antoinette Farrugia was reportedly pregnant and does not usually go to the fireworks factory)
Another two men are in intensive care at Mater Dei Hospital. They are another of Ninu Farrugia's sons, Ray, and his son-in-law Pawlu.
The search was a delicate operation, with the rescuers threading their way amid debris and unexploded petards which were scattered over a wide area of the slope where the fireworks factory was located.
Informed sources said the fireworks had been manufactured in Malta and were transported to Gozo early yesterday morning on a private launch escorted by the police. The fireworks were being prepared for Wednesday's feast of Our lady of Victories in Xaghra.
The factory blew up in three powerful blasts at 6.10 p.m, producing a big mushroom-shaped cloud. A number of cars were destroyed. Windows at some residences near Gharb were shattered.
Another two men who had been on the site left a short time before the explosion, sources said.
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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VV Bartolo
Sep 6th 2010, 22:08
@ mr eric psaila
nergi ntenni "Ahjar flok naghmluha tal-imhallfin naraw x'inhu jikkawza li qed jisplodi n-nar mahdum, milli nilhqu salib hadd iehor"
ghax jekk niskopru il-kagun ta' dawn l-accidenti, int sur psaila ma tkunx fil-periklu li tmut u jien ma jkollhiex ghalfejn nigi nikkonsla lil hadd mill-familja tieghek.
MHUX NILHQU SALIB HADD IEHOR IRRIDU SUR PSAILA IMMA FATTI. BIL-PAROLI BISS MA NAGHMLU XEJN!!!
Audrey Costa
Sep 6th 2010, 21:41
This needs to be a time of reflection - particularly for the fireworks diehards - I know it is your hobby, and I know you keep saying 'I will not give up'. But as things are going, your life is at a great risk! Your association needs to rethink about all your methods and rules - you need to figure out what is what is going on - you need to become more disciplined when it comes to health and safety!! You need to be better trained, your buildings need to safer! I love the colourful fireworks! But I will encourage a boycott for people to gather and watch them, if you guys don't start doing something serious about safeguarding yourselves! Life is precious - it is God's gift - surely if your hobby is about enhancing our festas for our beloved saints, then you ought to safeguard God's gift to you - your own life!
axuereb
Sep 7th 2010, 18:17
and the lives of others!
D Camilleri
Sep 6th 2010, 20:58
Although I am sorry for the lost lives &my condolences go to the families......I just have to add to what has already been written....Isn't it about time we evaluate the festas? I, for one, hate all the noise that comes with a festa...and not just the fireworks that not only annoy many people but also scare children and pets. Do we even know the meaning of disturbance of the peace? respect to residents who are not enthusiasts of two long weeks of noise, closed roads, loud music till early hours of the morning......some of us have to work! Some of us don't like it! Isn't this supposed to be church related? So why can't we just have some church festivities excluding the bells that go off every hour!! Fine, I could also tolerate fireworks if they were scheduled for e.g. 2hours on the day and not every ungodly hour of the day!! Is it not a right to expect peace and quiet and a good night's sleep.....be it festa time or otherwise!...not to mention all the bars taking over public spaces and putting chairs and tables outside & loudspeakers on the outside to ensure a din!! A nightmare!!!
A Mifsud
Sep 6th 2010, 19:03
The biggest problem is most of these Firework factories are built to houses. People like me who do not care if the village feast is held or not, or who consideres the bombardment as a mere nuisance, must live with these dangers near to their own residence. My house is just a few meters away from the Mosta factory, which exploded only 3 weeks ago. I ask whether a new permit is going to be granted for the re-built of the Santa Maria Firework factory in Mosta. And if so what precautionary measures will be in place.
Leif Nielsen
Sep 6th 2010, 17:39
Again, again and again - it´s terrible, close all fireworks factories, and no will be killed, always Malta I mean, what happend next and where - Copenhagen
Judy
Sep 6th 2010, 16:12
We have 3 fireworks factories in this area and they are all sited very close to the beautiful Chapel of San Dimitiri - this ancient building needs protecting it is a Gozo heritage and yet these factories exist. I live in this street - I would like to ask how much explosivites pass my house on a regular basis?
T Mifsud
Sep 6th 2010, 15:45
I have a question to the CPD.
Why did the search have to stop because of darkness, when it may well have been the case that Ninu Farrugia could well have been still alive during the night and gave up knowing that the search was called off? Couldn't the CPD have provided a generator and search lights, at least, apart from continuing the search, Ninu would have possibly plucked up a trickle of courage and survived a couple of crucial hours. It is very well known that survivors can have their moralle lifted and thus survive if there are sirens, dogs, lights and general SAR noise near the casualties.
If there would a major disaster here, eg. a collapse of a large building or widespread earthquake damage, would the CPD suspend search and rescue in the crucial hours of the night? So many people would give up under rubble at night when injured if they know the search is suspended.
If the reply concerns unexploded petards then the AFM capabilities, CPD, police and other experts should have been roped in thru the night, but not abandon the search just because of lack of light!! Make light!!
Alexander Wright
Sep 6th 2010, 16:49
Surely you do not expect to have an official statement in reply to your query.
They suspended the search, tough cheese. That's the value of life here.
M. Grech
Sep 6th 2010, 17:28
Five years ago after the same factory expolded the Gharb council circulated a form of petition for/or against the rebuilding of the factory. Although there were numerous objections the same factory was built again. And not only that but a third factory also also built in very close proximity to San Dimitri Chapel. Authorities only pay lip service to these matters.
M. Grech
Sep 6th 2010, 17:30
In these circumstances the search would normally be suspended because the area was still not properly examined and considered safe of unexploded fire works,a task that weould require full light conditions to be carried out. I tend to agree with such a decision.
j grech
Sep 6th 2010, 18:32
that was to be my question also, surely the fire department had doused enough water on any unexploded fireworks by that time ? other countries dont stop for darkness they dig with their barehands if they have to, i can only assume they dont have the equipment as in flood lights, shame on the goverment, if fireworks factorys are to stay then they had better get their finger out if malta as you say have a large building collapse or earthquake we dont stand a chance, take the highest building in malta does the fire department have a vehicle equiped with long enough ladders harnesses and hoses to deal with it if not now that it has been bought to their attention i suggest they start measuring now and equiping these apartments with whatever they need NOW my deepest symphathy to his widow and family members may the victims R.I.P and the injured make a speedy recovery
robert micallef
Sep 6th 2010, 20:30
why should members of the forces risk their life ? The petards are unstable in "normal" circumstances just imagine after the explosion in what condition they were. some people respect life more then others. My wife is a nurse and when she was pregnant she quit her job due to the high risk of infections and this is a hospital i'm talking about. i don't imagine myself taking my pregnant wife to the fire works factory for a coffee.
Charles Vassallo
Sep 6th 2010, 15:30
Have the concerned authorities or the fireworks manufacturers (coming to that), checked out the allegations that the relevant material used in the making of fireworks are of low quality? Are the allegations true or are they just idle talk?
I am no expert, however it does make one think if this is just a coincidence or otherwise...I mean with all this unecessary loss of life in just a period of a few months.
Do we have a professional body to investigate all these tragic occurrences and finally ascertain the cause , be it one of gross negligence OR otherwise!?
Luke Agius
Sep 6th 2010, 14:53
I wonder when someone will act on the situation. Too many people are dying because of this. And praying isn't going to help anyone.....It seems the saint they're cheering for isn't helping very much....
Sarah Spiteri
Sep 6th 2010, 13:53
I am obviously very sorry for those people who lost their lives and for their families HOWEVER I shudder to think of what might have happened to some innocent passers-by whose only objective was to enjoy some fresh air in the beautiful Gozo countryside. I have absolutely no idea where these fireworks factories are located and at this point, with all these regular explosions, the bare minimum the government should do is send out leaflets with a map of malta and gozo showing where fireworks factories are located so those areas can be avoided like the plague!
May Cassar
Sep 6th 2010, 13:22
Having read of this latest tragedy, My thoughts keep going to a woman (wife & mother) who yesterday lost her husband, son, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and has to also cope with the pain of seeing the terrible injuries of another son and her daughters' husband. While supporting a daughter who has lost her father, brother, and might also lose her husband and another brother. I wonder if asked she would say she is happy to be going through all the heart break and pain for the sake of a Maltese tradition which is enjoyed by many. How many who argue that this tradition should continue are willing to swap places with her this instant. How many after the shock of hearing about the tragedy ever think about those left behind to continue with their lives without their loved ones. But then again it is not our problem as long as when our village feast comes around we get to watch the Fireworks other wise it wouldn't be a real feast no matter what the sagrifice is for others.
Andrew Asquith
Sep 6th 2010, 11:59
Very sad the tragic loss of life, a family killed in an explosion at Gharb Firework Factory. Our deepest sympathy to the family & friends of all the peope involved.
Joe Demicoli
Sep 6th 2010, 11:30
Wll done to the rescuers who had to be brave and risk their lives. Their work often goes unnoticed on our island..
Robert Magro
Sep 6th 2010, 11:28
Jista min hu responsabbli (jekk hawn xi hadt) jirrispondi dawn it-3 mistoqsijiet?
1. Kif jigi ittrasportat in-nar fit-toroq? Mat-traffiku normali?
2. Kif jigi ittrasportat in-nar fuq il-bahar? Fuq il-vapuri tal-Gozo Channel fuq l-iskeda normali?
3. Taht liema ministeru taqa ir-regolamentazzjoni tal-kmamar tan-nar?
Eman Borg
Sep 6th 2010, 11:22
Kondoljanzi lil familji kollha li b'xi mod jew iehor sofrew tbatija!!Ghawdex jibqa iffakar dan l-avvinament li hakem fuqna!!San Gorg Preca itlob ghailhom!1Qalb ta Gesu Harishom
Maria Camilleri
Sep 6th 2010, 10:49
L-ghomor lill-familji. Imma hija swied ta' qalb meta tara tant familji qeghdin jitilfu tant mill-gheziez taghhom. Meta se nitghallmu? Illum nistaqsi: ghalxiex qeghdin nassistu? Ghall-festi jew ghall-massakri?
Ramon Casha
Sep 6th 2010, 10:48
At this rate, Malta will soon become the only country where the number of victims of fireworks factory explosions exceeds road fatalities.
R.Borg
Sep 6th 2010, 10:48
So eight men lost their lives manufacturing fireworks until now this year.
How many died during this past decade of the new millenium?
Did they die because they were not professionals?
Who is monitoring those who illegially work and handle this dangerous past-time?
Is it still a past-time?
Is there big money involved?
If yes, are they accountable to the Vat Department? Do they issue any sort of receipt?
Is there teamwork in the various factories or various factions and piques reign supreme?
Is the high rate of humidity that our islands experience a cause of such tragedies?
Is it the time that the Church distance itself COMPLETELY from this costly 'past-time'?
ETERNAL REST GRANT TO THEM, O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIFE SHINE UPON THEM.
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.
AMMEN
W. Cauchi
Sep 6th 2010, 10:43
ENOUGH is ENOUGH. The authorities cannot just turn a blind eye to this carnage and move the buck to a magistrate to conclude an enquiry. Then nobody ever sees the result of this enquiry, or by the time this is concluded all interest in it has been lost.
Remember the crane that ran into the back of a bus. Just image if instead of the bus, this was a truck carrying 10 tons of fireworks. SCIENCE FICTION some would say. Well as things are developing unfortunately it will soon be SCIENCE FACT.
Than after the carnage in one of our main roads, we would have 3 days of morning and all the high authorities will rush to the scene and then attend a mass funeral occupying the front row seats etc., etc.
I am not against fireworks, because it is part of our tradition and what would our festas be without them. But until the authorities can find the cause to these terrible tragedies and a more secure system of transporting them around the islands, than a total ban would unfortunately be necessary. PREVENTION, PREVENTION, PREVENTION.
J.Zammit
Sep 6th 2010, 10:43
If there is anyone to blame I'd say it could well be the church...
The government seems to be powerless since this is an activity condoned by the church in the name of some saints that 99% of these fanatics have no idea what they are actually celebrating.
Ah yes... add the cash cow that is the fireworks industry... low production cost high yield extreme high risk... life nowadays is worth nothing but money.