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.