Għarb council considers future of fireworks factories

The Għarb local council held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the future of fireworks factories in the locality, the mayor said.

The blast from a nearby factory on the outskirts of the locality on Sunday rocked the island and numerous residents contacted the local council to complain of the damages their homes sustained.

The explosion sparked off a debate on a permit request for another factory in the village’s countryside.

“We would like to call a referendum in the locality to decide about the pending fireworks application before the planning authority,” Għarb mayor David Apap said.

Mr Apap said that since the majority of the councillors were also on the Għarb festivities committee and felt they had a conflict of interest, they asked for the advice of the Local Government Department on how to go about having a referendum “so the people could express their opinion”.

The council was insisting that the authorities should enforce strict measures on existing fireworks factories to ensure everyone’s safety.

The council received several calls from residents complaining about the damage sustained from the blast, with the mayor alone receiving some 13 calls.

“We are advising them to report to the police station and we will be seeking legal advice on the matter to see how to go about protecting the residents,” he said.

The council expressed sorrow at the loss of life in Sunday’s explosion and thanked the police and the Civil Protection Department for their assistance.

Another council meeting would be held today, Mr Apap said.