Editorial

News, like history, has a tendency of repeating itself and this could not be painfully truer than it is with tragedies related to fireworks.

People die or are horribly maimed in devastating explosions. The country is shocked and, usually, calls for tougher regulation of the sector to be made. The deceased are then given a heroes’ send off, reinforcing a sense of brotherhood among fireworks enthusiasts across Malta and Gozo that carries on, set in its ways, justifying itself in the fatalistic premise that there is nothing one can do other than hope for the best.

It is a risky passion, which will keep costing lives, the public is invariably told by enthusiasts. But, considering the repeated tragedies – eight lives have been lost since the beginning of this year, one is justified to wonder whether the death toll here compares, per capita, with that in other countries where fireworks production dwarfs that of Malta and Gozo.

One of the issues raised by Sunday’s tragedy in Għarb and the one before it in Dwejra on August 13, is that the blasts could have originated from fireworks that were sealed and being handled for transportation. Many had the impression that sealed fireworks were safe. This matter needs to be straightened out urgently for one need be no expert to realise the dangers inhabited areas, including public roads, face when a vehicle transporting the fireworks drives through.

A manifestly conspicuous element of fireworks tragedies is the response of politicians. Some of them may make some noise in the immediate aftermath but then their silence becomes more deafening than the noisy petards.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici may be a sitting target here. But he is one of a few politicians to have shown some leadership after years of the problem being swept under the carpet. The tightening of the rules in 2008 and earlier this year has evidently not reaped the desired fruit, which is why there is need for an urgent and thorough review of the situation without any ifs or buts.

The announcement yesterday that an inquiry board would be set up is a step in the right direction. However, the government should also make good use of the window of opportunity until the next festa season starts to impose a moratorium on fireworks production until the causes of these latest blasts are established and doable solutions to avoid, manage and mitigate the effects of such accidents in the future are proposed.

A week ago The Times put a number of questions, which, we repeat: Are there sufficient fireworks inspectors to ensure proper regulation? Is the licensing of factories in conformity with international standards? Is the calibre of those making the fireworks up to required standards or should the day of the gifted amateur be consigned to the history books? Are there some factories that are now so close to urban habitation that they should be closed down?

Will the board of inquiry answer these questions.

The situation needs to be addressed in the most thorough and professional manner possible. If need be foreign expertise should be sought, if nothing else to bring a fresh perspective to the table.

There is a place for this tradition but not at any cost. The only way forward is a rigorous shakedown without fear or favour. Anything short of this will be an invitation for yet more unacceptable loss of life.