A board of inquiry has been appointed to investigate the cause of Sunday’s fireworks factory explosion in Għarb, which claimed the lives of four people and left two others in critical condition.

The board is also tasked with reviewing the safety of fireworks factories, which so far this year claimed the lives of eight people, including a pregnant woman in this latest tragedy.

The Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said the board of inquiry would collect and examine samples of materials used in the manufacture of fireworks in view of suspicions that these latest explosions could have been caused by inferior materials.

Although one of the members appointed on the board, Servolo Delicata, said it was too early to establish the cause of the blast in Għarb, he highlighted the fact that the igniters used in the fireworks and whose chemical composition was not consistent throughout the years could be a contributing factor to these latest unexplained blasts.

In the explosion in Dwejra, Malta on August 13 the fireworks being handled were meant to have been ready packed and sealed and, therefore, presumed “safe”.

The inquiry board will also examine documents related to the materials used for manufacturing fireworks and assess the practices followed when mixing materials. It has been encouraged to carry out its work in the shortest time possible.

The board will be chaired by Alfred Vella and will include Victor Axiaq and Joe Theuma apart from Mr Delicata.