Updated: Body of fourth fireworks explosion victim found

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!

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!!

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.

T Camilleri

Sep 6th 2010, 10:38

This is the fifth accident from February and indicates that the material being imported is suspect because for someone or a factory to make a mistake is understandable, for two to make a mistake is also understandable, but five in nearly the same number of months indicate that the imported raw material may not be up to standard. Have the authorities checked it and if so how many time? Did they check it every time it was imported? We need answers and we need them quickly.

Ruth Gatt

Sep 6th 2010, 10:23

Din hi responsabilta tal Curia u l knisja ta Ghawdex ,

Ghaliex il Curia qeda thalli lil kumittat tal knejjes Ghawdxin jixtru dan il periklu kollu ? jew il Curia tindahal bies fejn trid Hi? specjalment fejn ikolla il qlieh ta commition, u issa minn ser jiehu ittort li sploda kollox?.

Michael Neville Cassar

Sep 6th 2010, 10:19

One of the biggest risks in explosive material is the change in temperature and humidity especially when it is compact and wrapped in paper sweating of explosive takes place together with wood paper metal. The heat temperatures that we been having play a major part in these accidents, and as one shift the material from one place to the other the gas element change its temperatures to combustion ignition.

Louis Pace

Sep 6th 2010, 10:10

Continue.........

I personally don't like fireworks but as I said before I don't think that these will ever be closed. What I know is that there should be something done at once now. Since we became part of the EU we hear that we got money to this and that everyday, but no one was bothered to do something about this. As far as I can remember when we joined the EU the first thing we saw was the firework display from sea and land.
SO LETS START VIDEO MONITERING THESE FACTORIES SO AT LEAST WE COULD START TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS.

May the Lord give eternal peace to the all victims and courage to the families concerned in all FIREWORK FACTORIES.

ACT NOW..................

Paul Barrett

Sep 6th 2010, 10:03

A tragic loss to the family and a tragic loss to the community. My condolences to all the remaining members of the family and their friends and all best wishes for the recovery of the injured.

eric psaila

Sep 6th 2010, 10:00

@VV Bartolo
Ahjar flok naghmluha tal-imhallfin naraw x'inhu jikkawza li qed jisplodi n-nar mahdum, milli nilhqu salib hadd iehor.
You stated nilhqu salib haddiehor. Of course I do. What if I happened to be on the road while these fireworks were being transported and these exploded and killed me or anyone of my family?
Are you going to console my family Mr Bartolo?
This carnage in the name of religion must stop now.
We do not want heros. We do not want orphans and widows. We do not want to see people falling in depression for the rest of their lives because of such incidents. Live is precious and we should respect it. One can argue that it is their jobs. Well change it. So many people lost their jobs at the drydocks. These numbered thousands. I am sure the people working in this industry do not amount to that much therefore it is no excuse. It is dangerous business.

Louis Pace

Sep 6th 2010, 10:00

What a disaster ! Is this the worst one ? Reports are saying that 4 died and some people will say 5 died including an unborn baby. Not one family lost or in pain right now but 6 families. Most of us people will say that there is something that should be done about these factories. But the main action is what should be done ? CLOSE them all (that will never be done I think). Control what is going on in these firework factories ? More inspections on these untimed bombs ?. When a firework factory blows up we hardly have a clue what exactly was going on at that time ? So how can one make these places more safe ? you can go on and on with questions. So there should be a start from somewhere from now on all firework factries should be video monitered at all times from every corner and also recorded (hopefully there would not be another accident) but if things go wrong at least they will be recorded and investigations would determine what is going on there at that time.

Continue

Alfred Grech

Sep 6th 2010, 09:51

I don't mind paying some money to see fireworks in the feasts but would never pay for it with human lives.

Something is wrong somewhere and it's up to the authorities to find out on how to secure safety in these fireworks factory.

I was still shocked from the explosion of last month in Mosta which was very close to where I live and now this.

My condolences to the families of the victims and they are going to need a lot of strength to deal with this.

Joseph Aquilina

Sep 6th 2010, 09:34

Is there an authority responsible to certify that fireworks factories are up to standard?? If not then isn't it time to do something?? What are we waiting for?

joe vella

Sep 6th 2010, 09:33

the problem with all these explosions may be twofold
a lot of experimenting is going on with formulations downloaded from the internet and experimented on by people who are not qualified or trained to dabble about with such dangerous chemicals-most of them do not have any idea of basic chemistry and just go about via trial and error, what we are experiencing in many cases are the results of the errors!!
it is also apparent that the quality of the materials being used is becoming inferior, mainly in a drive to cut costs; this and a measure of carelessness in storage, handling etc. is another route to disaster
Unless the authorities seriously take action, there will be more deaths and tragedy
the idea of self control is a non starter in malta, pique takes precedence

V Theuma

Sep 6th 2010, 09:27

If the Church in Malta is pro-life it should avoid this unnecessary carnage by abolishing fireworks from its religious feasts. Whatever measures are taken one cannot reduce the risk to an insignificant level so that we can say that this practice is safe. It will never be safe enough. If we want more deaths we continue with this tradition and make more martyrs and destroy more families. It's in our hands, God is not telling us to light up fireworks in honour of our saints. The human life lost and the money spent are already exceeded all limits, or we have no limits!

George S. Galea

Sep 6th 2010, 09:24

BAN FIREWORKS ALTOGETHER. These so-called cultural traditions, like the indiscriminate "kacca", the boisterous "xalati" and our parochial bickering are nothing but the culmination of age-old ignorance and stupidity. Unfortunately cursed as we still are with our record-breaking level of illiteracy, these "cultural traditions" need at least another 50 years to be eradicated altogether. Poor Malta!

l borg

Sep 6th 2010, 09:08

i enjoy alot watching fireworks but now am starting to think of the price other people have to pay
so sad

I Abela

Sep 6th 2010, 09:06

Can someone please explain why the search RESUMED at 7:30am? This means that it was suspended yesterday evening? Since when a search for a victim is suspended at night?

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 6th 2010, 09:05

As far as I know, latest legislation forbids the letting off of bombi before 9 a.m. Am I right? I heard them as well from San Gwann, probably from Naxxar. If I'm correct about the law why no action is taken by the establishment against the person responsible for the fireworks who is the CEO as it were. . Are the insurance people and the police doing enough? Have our MPs the will to put a stop to these barbarities? When are we going to start enforcing the fireworks laws to the full? Why don't the church authorities do more to curb these abuses? I know that some kappillani are as mad about fireworks as the 'dilettanti tan-nar'? Is this the reason why we are still exposed to these hellish bangs? Yesterday it was the St Gregory bangs. We can't carry on like that can we; we live on a tiny piece of rock, which is overpopulated. It's not fair that we are subjected to these hellish bangs that upset babies, the sick and the dying, cats, dogs birds., just because a few dozen people are making thousands of euros by promoting fireworks all over the islands.

patrick zammit

Sep 6th 2010, 09:03

And we have been marketing this valley as a tourist attraction:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091009/local/570-000-for-rehabilitation-of-gozo-valley

Alexander G Farrugia

Sep 6th 2010, 08:55

Ever heard of the Seveso II Directive? Probably not....as the only EU Directives which seem to appeal to local interest are only those concerning feathered creatures...
And probably our negotiators found some way around it to protect our precious traditions, as what probably happened in a more recent EU Directive regarding the placing on the market of pyrotechnic material (DIRECTIVE 2007/23/EC). The Impact Assessment Report for this Directive says: “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) Here’s an interesting read: http://www.meusac.gov.mt/Portals/FME/Documents/TMID_20070401_RM.pdf, and hey presto the Directive now 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. (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:154:0001:0021:en:PDF)
Well done to our bureaucrats!

Matthew Bonnici

Sep 6th 2010, 08:51

how did the fireworks get from Malta to Gozo ?

hopefully on a barge......

Can you imagine the news this morning if the consignment exploded on a Gozo ferry with 800 people on board......

r curmi

Sep 6th 2010, 08:48

May the victims Rest in Peace, they died so that the rest of us can sit back and enjoy the show. You people are brave indeed. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. And may the relatives of the victim manage somehow to not loose hope and move on though the loved ones will never be forgotten.

And finally we can find out what is going wrong with these explosions. Way too many this year, way to many lost of lives. Unlike the mosta one,this time evidence is not erased and hopefully if there are people responsible for this tragedy they are brought to justice

kevin camilleri

Sep 6th 2010, 08:48

ma nistax nifem kif il festa tax xaghra ser issir xorta..fejn hu lisqof ta ghawdex????? fuq dawn it telf ta hajja imissu jiehu azzjoni mhux fuq min jitqarbben u min ma jitqarbinx!!!!!!!

John Carmel Navarro

Sep 6th 2010, 08:42

This carnage in the name of religious feasts has to stop, what a waste of human life. It is obvious that something is wrong if making these fireworks is causing so many people to lose their lives, we all enjoy fireworks displays but not at this price. Human safety has now become the main issue the Government and the Church must act now, I am not calling for a ban but please review and find the reason why so many are dying. God rest their souls and give consolation to the ones they leave behind.

George Sacco

Sep 6th 2010, 08:42

Il-Mulej itighom l-mistrieh ta dejjem u lil dawk li ghadhom maghna itighom is-sabar u l-ghajnuna mehtiega. Minn jafhom jaf li il-Familja Farrugia kienu jghixu ghan-nar. Kollha kemm huma kienu ihobbuh u jahdmuh bil-qalb. Il-Fontana isselmilkom

A. Azzopardi

Sep 6th 2010, 08:29

Really and truly: Is there anybody in charge on these islands? If so, this would not happen week after week.

charlie cauchi

Sep 6th 2010, 08:25

xi haga tal biza 4 vittmi nistghu nghidu 5 ghax il mara kienet tqila u 2 korruti serjament..... kienu qed jipreparaw ghal festa kbira, minflokk ser ikun hemm funeral kbir ta hames persuni. il bambina tieqaf mal kumplament tal familja, kondoljanzi lil familjari u il bambin jaghtikom is sabar. rip

VV Bartolo

Sep 6th 2010, 08:22

Ahjar flok naghmluha tal-imhallfin naraw x'inhu jikkawza li qed jisplodi n-nar mahdum, milli nilhqu salib hadd iehor. il-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin qalbhom tabja kemm tridhom imma hej biex jakkuzaw lil dak u lil iehor hadd ma jirbhilhom!!

O Mulej aghtihom il-mistrieh ta' dejjem u sabbar lil familji taghhom

MT Caruana

Sep 6th 2010, 08:16

Familja ohra IMKISSRA . Veramnet bla kliem.

Publius Cordina

Sep 6th 2010, 08:16

Another fireworks tragedy occured within a couple of weeks.It is surprising that nobody is found responsible.I am not against fireworks ,but these should be within limits especially those regarding the sound.At this moment they are letting off the 08.00 salute of a nearby village.The noise ,I am sure is above the limits permissable,and yet nobody has the courage to stop them.May the Lord give eternal peace to the victims and courage to the families concerned.