Widow's anger as Xaghra feast goes ahead
Nenu and Maria Farrugia.
The woman who lost a husband, two sons and a pregnant daughter-in-law in last Sunday's fireworks explosion at Gharb has expressed anger that the feast at Xaghra will go ahead as planned tomorrow.
"After my husband did all that work for them (Xagħra), they should show respect towards them (the victims)," Maria Farrugia said in a hurt tone when contacted by The Times.
The Xaghra Central Feast Committee earlier today defended its decision to hold the feast, pointing out that the fireworks factory - where fireworks for Xaghra were stored - was not part of the parish and the victims did not come from the parish. The only connection between Xaghra and the factory was that the Xaghra fireworks committee had commissioned some fireworks from the factory, the committee said.
Mrs Farrugia lost her husband Nenu and sons Noel, 31, and Raymond, 32, in the blast, along with Noel's wife Antoinette, 27.
Mrs Farriugia said that just five minutes before the explosion she was on the phone with her husband.
He hung up suddenly, Mrs Farrugia said.
"I think he felt something."
Jean Pierre Azzopardi, 27, also died in the blast.
Mrs Farrugia's son-in-law Paul Micallef, 35, who like Raymond Farrugia, is the father of young children, is still in intensive care.
Full story in The Times.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
139 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
MARIA FORMOSA
Sep 8th 2010, 16:35
I m surprised these stupid people criticising so vengefully our dear Bishop Grech.Such comments reveals their spite for the church!they feign sympathy in bereavement.My condolences to the Grech family and may all those who lost their lives in this tragedy rest in peace!i promise my prayers.
M. Debono
Sep 8th 2010, 17:53
"Vengeful criticism" of the bishop? Give me a break! Six people are dead while preparing fireworks for a religious celebration and the church does not feel the need to cancel public festivities at Xaghra. I wonder why some people are upset!
m. xuereb
Sep 8th 2010, 15:00
Kondoljanzi lill familjari tal-vittmi tal-fontana u tax-xewkija. Veru mietu martri ghal haddiehor. Min miet ghal haddiehor bhal Patri Massimiljanu Kolbe ghamluh Qaddis. F'ghawdex mhux hekk nibqghu sejrin bil-festi qisu ma gara xejn. Dak ir-rispett nisrani.L-awtoritajiet gholjin ekklesiastici fejn huma? Ma ghadhom jikkmandaw xejn ? Jew fejn iridu huma biss u forsi maz-zghir? LI gew xi nies mis-safar ghal festa nammetti imma setghet issir taht forma ta purcissjoni biss. Alla jahfer lil mejtin u nitolbuh jahfer anke lil min hu bla rispett.
Joseph Calleja
Sep 8th 2010, 14:04
My deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased. Six people lost their lives in this tragedy and yet the Parish Priest and the the Xaghra Central Feast Committee decided that the show must go on. Pointing out that the fireworks factory - where fireworks for Xaghra were stored - was not part of the parish and the victims did not come from the parish. What a lame and insensitive excuse. These six people lost their lives making fireworks for the town of Xaghra and that made them indirectly part of the feast. I hope in your hearts you made the right decision because that is one heavy load to carry. Hope you all enjoyed the feast.
Joseph Vassallo
Sep 8th 2010, 13:40
Mark Camilleri: Can you please tell us where you studied chemistry and Electric, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering?
You assume considerable authority so please tell on what studies you base your assertions.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 8th 2010, 15:30
I suggest that you will try to prove him wrong!
Some years ago, the Prime Minister Domnic Mintoff asked for my advice on unloading explosives from a ship in the Grand Harbour one month before it arrived in Malta. I made some studies on the electromagnetic Radio waves being emmited from transmitters including the Deutche Wella at Xorb L-Ghagin.I worked with Major Albert Camilleri of the Local Army and he showed me detonators and other explosives at Mosta underground explosves stores. The results I found was bewildering. I concluded that the detonators with their longflying leads would be detonated by the radio waves from the German transmitters. I advised the Prime Minister not to unload the ship in the Grandharour, to SWITCH OFF the german transmitter and to unload the ship offshore. It was a secret operation where everybody had to keep his mouth shut including the captains and crew of the tug boat etc.
In my time I was instrumental to help Maltese people in many different quiet and silent secret ways. All my experimental findings were sent andconfirmedby Cologne in Germany before the Germans switched off all their powerful transmitters. I am a qualified man by the way.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 8th 2010, 15:49
After my political power to switch off the German transmitter Deutche Welle, the German authorities realised how responsible I was to force them to TURN OFF their transmitter while we unloaded the explosives. After, they asked me to investigate the corrosion that was occurring an all their mast at Xorb L-Ghagin. I made my own instruments and spent about two months studying this corrosion on all the metal masts at Xorb L-Ghagin. Metal was being lost from the lower part of the aluminium masts and being deposited on to the surrounding soil. It was all like metalic cancer and the Germans were so worried. I found that all the metal masts wre acting like receiving antennas and as the electric current flow near the soil metal junction it was being rectified and so the metal was being plated on to the soil. It was a frightening sight seeing the rate of the loss of the metal at the base of the masts.I arranged for a metal net skirt to be wrapped around the bases of the masts to divert the electric current that flowed and I managed to save some masts.Eventually Deutche Welle packed up and went away.Mr Vassallo should now ask why!!!!
Pule Carmel
Sep 8th 2010, 16:22
And just to inform you about the powerof electromagnetic radio waves, while experimenting near the Antennas of the Deutche Wella at Xorb l-Ghagin I used to light a six volt tungsten filament light bulb by feeding it off a loop antenna of two metre square. And you may not believe it, but once I heard the modulation being transmitted through a flat stone being placed on a hajt tas sejjieh. Apparently the area of the stone acted as a capacitor plate with the other stone and somehow the junctions rectifies the carrier wave. I could not believe it.
Incidentally and I must not delve too much on this, there were people working at Deutche Wella who suffered headaches while they walked within the area of the near field transmission, and please do not ask ne to elaborate on the final results on the human brain.
In other industrial areas, there were young ladies using radio frequency plastic sealing machines they were using these machines with 4000 watts placed 30 centimres from their reproductive organs and I followed the marage prospects of such ladies and gentlemen and some of them had no children. No one listened to defend these people.
M. Sultana
Sep 8th 2010, 13:37
It is understandable that there is hurt involved. However if you attended the feast today you would have realised that things did not continue on as usual. The band was more modest and there was no march whatsoever. Even yesterday, there were no drunken people or any excessive behaviour that is so common to this feast. Money was also collected to help the family.
In my opinion it would be better to go to the feast where the losses are mentioned all the time and remembered than to go off to the beach or somewhere else like it was any holiday, forgetting the tragedy.
Bill Hopkinson
Sep 8th 2010, 13:15
Those who support the Xaghra feast continuing regardless might consider attending the forthcoming post mortems of the unfortunate victims of this tragedy. One thing would be virtually guaranteed, a change of heart, the emphasis here being on HEART. One to ponder?
Dr. Kevin Mompalao
Sep 8th 2010, 13:12
Condolences to Mary Farrugia ( a relative of mine).
Shame on those who decided to continue with the festivities. An egoistic decision per eccellenza.
At least expected opposition to such a decision, from the Xaghra church. But seems that vales (in all resects) is athing gone bye.
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 13:43
Seems to me that YOUR values have gone astray. What has the parish of Xaghra got to do with the tragedy at Gharb, which was a private enterprise? Have any parishes from Malta during the Santa Marija celebrations stopped their feast in support of the Mosta victim??? If my memory serve sme right, no one stopped the feast except Mosta which was on the front line. So why all this hypocrisy against Xaghra parish???? Are there any hidden reasons for this onslaught against Xaghra?
Dr. Kevn Mompalao
Sep 8th 2010, 16:50
@ J. Farrugia
I would rather say that it is your comment which has an agenda, proably based on meer passion, rather than on reason. As far as I am aware this private fireworkes factory, not only had manufacture fireworks for the Xaghra feast, but was also doing a favour to xaghra feast by holding and storing other fireworks which was manufactured in other factories in Malta, or only God knows where and by whom. It was these fireworks which blew up, and broke a family to pieces; and so there was a direct link. But maybe, the pagan side of village feasts blindfolds us so much that these points are wholly missed.
Manuel Mangani
Sep 8th 2010, 18:27
Mr. Farrugia,
Mosta did not celebrate the feast in the usual manner because the victim died in an explosion directly connected with the Mosta feast. I'm sure you can see the parallel.
Most people commenting here - including myself- hardly know where Xagħra is located on the map of Gozo, let alone are they involved in any conspiracy against the place, as you seem to be implying..
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Sep 8th 2010, 12:27
Condolences to Mrs. Farrugia and the relatives and friends of all those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Please pray for them all and for the souls of the departed ones.
But we must all keep in mind that the external festivities associated with all religious feasts - including fireworks, bands, marches, heavy drinking, women bouncing their all on top of guy's shoulders etc - in Malta are all about business promotion and our totally pagan but nonetheless natural need to enjoy ourselves, socialize, show off, let our hair down, air libidos etc. Let us all call a spade a spade. We would all feel better if we repressed our natural feelings less and admitted our true needs and desires at least to ourselves.
P.Gatt canada
Sep 8th 2010, 13:04
Marianna i suspect you are talking through deaf ears, people don't listen and certainly don't learn from past tragedies, as you rightly say this is a pagan tradition in this country and my guess is that by next year fireworks will be still being made and needless to say people will also die in the process..still yet to come! believe me unless dangerous fireworks are stopped completly as in most countries. Its ok for the tourists and the local people to watch the show for a hour or so, but i garantee when the holidays are over things are back to square 1.and the foreign tourist will return back to their country & not even remember as all they are concerned about is getting their money's worth, as for the rest they just don't care. Our deepest sympathy to the poor woman and families.
Emanuel Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 12:24
Bhal issa ghal din il-mara huwa zmien delikat hafna, ghax meta titlef l-gheziez tieghek, hemm tkun taf x'igifieri. Irrispet kollox fil-hajja. Ejjew ma' nkunux ipokriti.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
Pule' Carmel
Sep 8th 2010, 12:11
Delivering fireworks to festas is no more than a buisness deal. In Europe where the storage areas are very espensive, the delivery system is known as " delivery just in time" where the wares are not stored but used immediately for the morning or the afternoon production. The delivery contractors cannot fail in their delivery for ANY REASON as it would cost to much for production to stop, so the deliverer, arranges for one loaded truck to be waiting at the production area, one loaded truck on the way and one being loaded and one going back to be loaded. If the delivery is not in time, then the deliverer of production parts will lose his contract an is sued by the production company for the loss of production or " sales"
With the gesture thatXaghara feast goes ahead and no one in authority has intervened to suggest a humane treatment of the people who lost their lives ,I am beginning to wonder if Malta has lost its humanity toward such people.Be that as it may , I do believe that such people should stop thinking that their wares are so useful that they must deliver or else be sued!!
R Scerri
Sep 8th 2010, 12:02
Shame on you Xaghra Feast Committee... 6 lives have been lost, doesn't the church tell us there nothing more important that life itself, and that is the most important of God's creations, bet that most of the xaghra troupe is against abortion and also against divorce but they are very much infavour of holding the feast as nothing happended how hypocrite that can be ... shame on you again and also where is the outspoken Gozo Bishop has he lost his voice now !!!
n mifsud
Sep 8th 2010, 12:00
il knisja saret business ukoll!! mela ma jwaqfux il fest, inkella jitilfu il flus!!! miskom tisthu!! fejnhom l-Isqfijiet? Dan hu ir rispett li taghlmuna?? Dawn l affarijiet igaluni inzomm boghod aktar mil Knisja u min dawk kolla li jmexxuha...izda mhux min Alla!!
T.Sultana
Sep 8th 2010, 11:57
Mhux ahjar nitkellmu u nuru d-dizappruvament taghna biex kmamar ohra tan-nar ma jergghux jinbnew milli nkomplu nikkritikaw !!!!!!
gaffarena joseph
Sep 8th 2010, 11:53
I, give you all my sympathy,
When you ,and your family are still crying over the death of your loved ones,the pagans are in the streets celebrating, drinking,and forgetting all about this tragedy.
a.attard
Sep 8th 2010, 11:45
Where's the bishop Grech in all this? How silent...
Judith Watson
Sep 8th 2010, 12:05
This guy the bishop always have something to say about this and that, but this time he is lost for words i guess. Our deepest condolencies to the families J.Watson UK
john mangion
Sep 8th 2010, 14:24
jiena konvint li l-isqof grech diga ghamel kuntatt mas-sinjura farrugia, bhall-isqfijiet l-ohra cremona-cauchi-mercieca-depasquale. nemmen ukoll li l-president abela u l-prim ministru kif ukoll joseph muscat ghamlu dan ukoll. tkun xhiedha qawwija ghal-maltin u l-ghawdxin kollha bhala familja wahda naraw lill mexxejja taghna f'dan il-mument ta' solidarjeta nazzjonali jiltaqghu mas-sinjura farrugia kif ukoll mal-familja ta' azzopardi u micallef. b'sahhtu hafna dan il-gest meta nafu li kemm il-president abela kif ukoll il-prim ministru qieghdin isofru it-telfa ta' missierhom fl-istess mument.
ghatihom mulej il-mistrieh ta' dejjem.
Emanuel Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 11:37
Qieghed jidher, li l-importanti li ssir il-festa imma rrispett qieghed il-boghod. Naqbel mas-sinjura. Basta niftahru kemm ahna nsara; fejn taf.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
C. Schembri
Sep 8th 2010, 11:20
If I were the Xaghra people I wouldnt go out to celebrate the feast in the first place! not even to church! hallih ha joqghod jitkellem wahdu l-kappillan! la hadd m'ghandu rispett! joqghdu 4 min nies jaqbzu u jiccelebraw wahedhom la huma bla qalb. u min irid ifahhar lil qaddis mghandux ghalfejn jinzel il-pjazza jew joqod jaqbez mal-marc jew anke li jmur il knisja! jibqghu d-dar bhala turija ta' rispett ... almenu ma jkollhom xejn fuq il-kuxjenza! l-ohrajn imbaghad joqodu jahsbu wahedhom jekk ghamlux tajjeb. ara mbilli ma niccelebrawx festa xse jigri! se taqa' d-dinja zgur!
Mark Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 11:19
Cell phones are danger in factorys due that some cell phones batterys can short and get fire, in fireworks factory cell
phones are all left in the kitchen.. It is placed at the outskirts of factory not near workshops and the main store.
Igniters do not ignite with cell phone radiation ,,, the known way that can ignite when there is static , so for that
the end of the wires are shorted .. no circuit. and from consulting with professionals of igniters makers they must
never be under pressure, very rare happenend in lab test at the manufacture of igniters. and when they ignit during
pressure test they are rejected. It can happen in fireworks factory when when one pulls the igiter cable from the
"murtal" . All igniters cables are all taped around the mortals before they are stored. I make fireworks and I do not
agree with people saying comments without any fireworksbackground. Fireworks is always danger and people is always
trying to make it safer . In old times KUBRITwas used , after it was found dangerus it was stopped. People always trys
to make it safer not Malta but in the World.
Joe Portelli
Sep 8th 2010, 16:40
In the old days we called this 'radio silence' and your observation is spot on.
Using a cell phone to me does not exaclty demonstrate the competency of the person incharge. The person incharge should also control the area and only allow competently trained personnel and certainly no pregnant ladies to be exposed to such chemicals.
My respect towards Mr Farrugia is neverthless unchanged - what needs to be changed is the laws regulating these extreme hazardous activities which are afterall commercial activities and under EU HSE requirements must be subject and under control of the local government.
The authorities should ensure adequate and approved training, set a minimum age and follow approved proceedures. As it is , the likes of Mr Farrugia are allowed to risk their life and their family without even knowing that such rules and safety standards exist in other countries and that work and prevent accidents.
Authorities should be reported for failing to ensure adequate Risk Assessment , which would have identified several deficiencies, including no site control , no minimum level of comptencey, supervision, cell phones etc.
Another very sad episode in the history of lack of public safety underdtanding.
Wallace Cassar
Sep 8th 2010, 11:10
Nixtieq naghmel suggeriment lill-kmamar tan-nar. Tibqghux taghmlu esagerazzjonijiet ta' hsejjes u murtali kbar tal-kulur fejn kulhadd jippika minn jaghmel l-aktar fethiet. Ghamlu murtali li meta jinfethu minnhom tinharaq ftit musketterija waqt li tkun niezla, ohrajn li minhom johorgu numru ta' flares li jinzlu bil-paraxut u affarijiet hemm. Immaginaw kemm ikunu sbieh jekk is-sema jkun mimli bil-flares ta' kuluri differenti li johorgu minn murtali differenti. Ahsbu ftit kemm ikun ahjar jekk ikollna inqas hsejjes. Ahsbu ftit kemm ikun ahjar jekk ma jkunx hemm tahlit ta' kuluri differenti fl-istess murtal. Ahsbu ftit kemm ikun ahjar jekk il-murtali jkollhom inqas splussiv fihom biex jitnaqqas ic-canc ta' spluzjoni kbira li tiswa l-hajjiet. Ahsbu ftit u tkomplux tpoggu hajjitkom fil-periklu ikbar meta tistghu tnaqqsuh.
Victor Cuschieri
Sep 8th 2010, 11:03
Il-knisja hemm bzonn il tqum qawma fuq taghha u tordna li ma jisrux aktar fanfarunati u piki bhal ma huma umbrelel bilkemm jghaddi mit-toroq, tal-partit l-iehor jaghmle l-iljun, l-ohrajn jaghmlu umbrelel u kannizzata akbar, ilma jinxtehet fuq in-nies u hafna cucati bhal dawn. Meta l-Knisja se tordna li l-festa tigi ccelebrata biss bi processjoni solennti mhux hief storbjijiet, marci minn baned differenti fl-istess hin, daqq ta' qniepen, murtali kollox kakofonija shiha ghaddejja fl-istess hin fejn gieli lanqas ma tkun tista' titkellem ma ta' hdejn bl-istorbju?
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 13:49
Thallatx il-hass mal-gandar. X'ghandhom x'jaqsmu l-umbrellel man-nar? U forsi l-memorja tieghek hija fjakka halli nfakkar lil dan il-bravu li meta s-sena li ghaddiet il-Knisja ippruvat taghmel xi haga biex trazzan il-festi Maltin milli jsiru iktar pagani milli huma, qamu l-irwiefen kollha forsi anki ta' dan il-korrispondent, u b'hafna programmi fuq xarabank u ma nafx iktar jghajjru lil Mons Gouder li jrid ikisser il-festi, lil jrid lit-tfal jiehdu d-drogi, akkuzi banali bhal dawn li qed naqra fil-blog. Kollox falsita'. Il-knisja ma tordna lil hadd jaghmel in-nar. Huma l-kazini tal-baned u l-kumitati tal-festa li jordnaw in-nar. U festi minghajr nar mhumiex festi, imma salt imbarazz. In-nar ser jibqa jsir, ser jibqa jkun hemm il-periklu, imma min jahdem in-nar la huwa sfurzat u l-inqas imgieghel jaghmel hekk. Hemm min jaghmel hekk ghal flus bhal ma kienet din il-kamra li splodiet u hemm min jaghmlu biex jaghti gieh (kif jaf hu) lill-qaddis patrun. Hadd ma jmur biex jigi mtertaq min-nar. U din il-kampanja kollha kontra n-nar fil-festi ghejja nwaqqfuha ghax ibati kulhadd. Kulhadd u ifmuha din.
Vincent Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 10:59
Ghax ma jagħmlus il-festa forma ta' processjoni kif suppost u mhux bil-ħafna baned u xalar. Hemm bzonn li l-festi jerghu jibdew isiru minghajr dal hafna xalar ta' marci u xorb alkoholiku li qed ihalli z-zghazagh fis-sakra barra l-hafna dagha, kliem hazin, insulti u paganizmu iehor. Anki dawk il-kjosks kollha jbieghu l-ikel kollu hazin ghas-sahha hemm bzonn li jigu ikkontrollati u jsiru wkoll spezzjonijiet minn tas-sanita' u jingahlqu dak ilo-hin stess jekk ma jkunux qed ihaesu l-igjene mhux kulhadd ibghabas fl-ikel minghajr lanqas nitfa ta' igjene.
V Caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 10:25
Yes if wireless radio waves were to be used to trigger the fireworks igniters stray radio waves can activate them. But in a hazardous area like a fireworks factory the best one can do is switch off mobiles, laptops or anything that can create radio transmissions.
Also we can't neglect that enthusiasts were aware of using new chemical compounds replacing older ones with unknown knowledge whether it was safer (rumours say).
Condolences to the families and relatives. It is a very hard time to go through.
l,falzon
Sep 8th 2010, 10:50
l-ghomor lill-daw it-3 nisa li spiccaw wehidom ,kuragg nitolbu ghalikom ,,jien lirrid najd li vera tal-misthija nohorgu najdu fil-berah dawn ma kinux mix-xaghjra voldieri ma tamilx differenza imissu jisthi it-tezorier meta nenu zammilom in-nar bhala pjacir u l-arcipriet najdlu mux ovja sur arcipriet li l-festa sessir xorta minajr nar meta nar sploda wahdu u mijaw nehha il-hajja ta 6 min-nies ,,possibli l-isqof jew arcisqof xinu t-awdex stess mamel xejn dan ma jmurx kontra rieda t,alla jew li jmutu 6 min-nies bxihaga li kinu qed jahdmu ghal-festa tar-rahal li tinaqad mal-parrocca ,qisu xej mu xejn il-vera nistaw najdu li vera il-knisja saret il-firda ta bejnitna imissom jisthu
Edward Caruana Galizia
Sep 8th 2010, 10:25
"the fireworks factory - where fireworks for Xaghra were stored - was not part of the parish and the victims did not come from the parish"
Did they seriously find a loophole? Did they actually find a way to justify their decision?
Here is a quick lesson in compassion. They made the fireworks for you. They risked their lives for you. They died for a festa that is not even theirs. You therefore owe them so much more than a moment of silence. Let's not act like they were under some sort of legal or moral obligation to die all in the name of your festa.
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 11:31
Apparently it was just a business deal. There was money involved and therefore by their logic, no other obligation moral or otherwise. Sort of "They weren't doing this out of the goodness of their heart, they were getting paid to do it, they were doing for profit and they knew the risks involved. So, we already lost thousands of euros on this deal, what to do, throw away even more money by cancelling the whole shebang?
Jeffrey Zammit
Sep 8th 2010, 10:19
Xaghra comittee has shown that pagan feast festivities are the biggest priorities. If I was a citizen of Xaghra I would not attend the external feast. 6 Gozitans have died and I am sure that most Xaghra citizens know most of the victims. Xaghra will be remembered by this decision.
Jan-Wouter Stigter
Sep 8th 2010, 10:14
Disgraceful, but not really surprising. If the church cared at all about people dying from fireworks manufacturing, they would ban them outright anyway. Perhaps we should be grateful that they will not sue this poor widow for not delivering the fireworks and ruining their 'religious' feast.
Mv.J.Hartmann
Sep 8th 2010, 12:01
Yes we agree, remember on the 13thMay 2000 in Enschede-Holland when 100 tonnes of explosives blew to heaven and earth and killed 22 people including firemen and about 947 were injured, check it out:-http://www.stop-fireworks.org/accidents-enschede.htm
We certainly will not be visiting their religious feast or gozo for that matter... disgusting and shameful to say the least.. and to think 6 people lost their lives for the likes of us to enjoy watching fireworks, big deal we seen it once, twice but thats enough for us, seen it al done it all, but then again Gozo is not my country we only visit the beaches the restaurants and the enjoying the sunshine for the rest, you can keep your church feasts and your precious fireworks, people died and should be respected especially for the immediate families of these poor unfortunate souls, i also think that in time their names will be rememberd in the village of Xaghra.
John Vassallo
Sep 8th 2010, 10:02
Fireworks should NOT be made illegal for various reasons. The problem is that in Malta, there are absolutely NO safety procedures. If safety procedures were enforced, then we would have less accidents. The law has to be revised and there need to be inspectors going round to make sure safety procedures are implemented. Then fireworks can be made legal.
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 11:39
It takes a very courageous person, indifferent to his own safety, perhaps even bordering on irresponsible, to do this job. Would you volunteer?
John Vassallo
Sep 8th 2010, 13:49
I take it as the below comment about the fireworks inspector is directed to me. Of course, I agree it would be a dangerous job, however the job is not a fireworks inspector, but to inspect that the factories are safe. You are completely right that it's too dangerous, however the problem is not the factories, but rather the safety procedures.
m vella
Sep 8th 2010, 10:01
Pagan feast and nothing else !
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 11:18
Wrong. It is a Catholic feast and nothing else. Paganism has nothing to do with it. Idolatry, or Mariolatry in this case is perhaps more like it.
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 12:07
I'm sorry if my comment is a bit ambiguous. I am referring to the job of fireworks inspector.
May Cassar
Sep 8th 2010, 10:01
There is a simple soluation to all this. What in reality is the meaning of the celebrating the feast day of a Patron Saint. The prayers and celebration of mass in the church. So why not go back to basics. Especially in Xaghra. Do the celebration in church, afterwards those who have no respect or feeling for those persons who lost their lives in the tragedy, whom I am sure they all knew on the Little island of Gozo go and Drink, sing and jump about. The other people with a heart and christian values go home and boycott the outside celebrations. Maltese who have heard ot the tragedy still feel and think about the victims and feel sad. How can the people of Gozo not have a sad heart at this time.
Joseph Vassallo
Sep 8th 2010, 09:57
There are those who normally exploit sentiments by using such words as "Tradition" and "Custom" in order to support their views that fireworks should continue to be used in parish celebrations notwithstanding the ongoing tragedies.
Isn't it also traditional and customary to demonstrate their sense of loss when life is taken away by this foolish practice?
Collective solidarity with this poor woman and remaining relatives, would have shown up the committee, the parish priest, the church and the whole island of Gozo, in a much better light. Instead, these all propose to make merry while the victims' families (what's left of them) bear the weight of this immeasurable grief. Not good PR by anyone's yardstick.
Personally, I won't be going anywhere near the place and I suspect I won't be the only one to stay away.
On a critical note... where do these "dilettanti tan-nar" obtain their knowledge of chemistry in order to safely indulge their addiction? I mean... there has to be some academic study involved, surely.
Emmanuel Ebejer
Sep 8th 2010, 09:50
Christian values...indeed!!!
dvella
Sep 8th 2010, 09:50
x'wicc kellkhom tat-times biex iccemplu l-familja wara telfa bhal dik. Dak business zgur basta timlew il-gazzetti. Tal-Misthija
john borg
Sep 8th 2010, 09:47
2011 FIREWORKS FREE YEAR
no accidents
no friends to cry
no shattered families
no feasts cancelled
no nonsense blasts
no money spent in smoke
no useless comments
r.said
Sep 8th 2010, 09:47
kemm hawn nies esperti :) :) :) vera nimpresjona ruhi nismakom tparlaw fil vojt
..........if keep it up like this it tfal takom mux se jkunu jafu li tezisti il kelma rispett !!!
F. Abela
Sep 8th 2010, 09:21
Paul Agius - yes, I would cancel/postpone the wedding out of pure respect and solidarity. Two words that seem to have been lost in the dictionary of the majority of Maltese.
S Busuttil
Sep 8th 2010, 09:17
Imma din bis-serjeta? X'cemplitlu taghmel? Ma jafux li bil-mobiles tista tisplodi kamra tan-nar?
Bhal anke fuq pompa tal-petrol. Suppost mobile ikun mitfi meta tkun hemm! Tajba din ukoll.
Annette Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 11:50
How do you know it was her who called and not vice versa?
R. C Conti
Sep 8th 2010, 09:12
It's down to business. No heart feelings.
P. Gatt
Sep 8th 2010, 09:08
This is shocking after this tragedy, they have the guts to go on feasting !!!!!This is so heartless in my opinion after this tragic incident, never have we heard of such ruthlessness.After all the fireworks were being made to entertain the people of Xaghra.Shame on those who gave orders to carry on with the feast!! Do they have no decency in their bones and care to support that devasted widow and her family. They have no right to be called Christians but they are acting like barbarians !!!! The Xaghra residents should in my opinion boycott the feast altogether!!!
andrew zammit
Sep 8th 2010, 09:52
I agree with all You have said. I wonder if these people who made this stupid decision will be paying their respects at the funeral. What about our great church ? never changes. My prayers to Mrs Farrugia.
d borda
Sep 8th 2010, 08:59
This convinces me even more to abolish the useless use of fireworks. Year in year out there are tragedies and wasted lives apart from many accidents related to fireworks.
Why isn't there a stand to abolish them? Are there hidden interests?
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 10:19
Of course there are interests, and they are not hidden at all. These interests are called 'votes'.
Moreover, if people do not have some pastime to keep them occupied they might start thinking, and thinking is dangerous for the state. So let them keep their brain cell or two occupied with the Madonna u l-Bambin, il-banda u l-marc, il-kaxxa nfernali u c-cikcifogu, il-birra u l-inbid, l-ahmar u l-blu, and they won't rise above their station. Then you can walk all over them.
Joseph Tonna
Sep 8th 2010, 08:57
JIENA MORT IL FESTA TA STA MARIJA L IMGARR.
1. MORT ID DAR B WIDNEJJA TUGANI
2. BIT TIFEL JIBKI IMWERWER MILL MURTALI
DIN KULTURA ... ?
GRAZZI L MIN HADEM IL MURTALI.
Alana Abela
Sep 8th 2010, 10:10
Ta' Santa Marija tal- Mgarr qed tghid? L- uniku murtali li naghmlu huwa f' jum il- festa. Kemm hawn postijiet gimgha shiha murtali ghax gejja l- festa u elufijiet ta' flus fuq nar. Insomma xorta wahda inqis li b'rispett kellha tithassar l- festa tax- Xaghra. Naghti kondonjanzi lill- familjari ta' dawn il-vittmi u j'Alla jsibu l- farag li ghandhom bzonn.
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 13:56
Lil Joseph Tonna nghidlu biss li fic-Cimiterju biss hawnil-paci vera u ma nahsibx li inti mort hemm. Ghax kull fejn tmur issib l-istorbju jekk mhux tal-murtali tal-vetturi, tal-hornijiet, tal-makkinarju jahdem, l-istorbju u d-dagha tal-genituri fi djarhom, listorbju tat-tfal fl-iskejjel u fit-toroq taghna, il-klieb jinbhu, l-istorbju tal-kostruzzjoni, Jekk minghalik dahhaktna mort zball ghax nithassruk mhux inhennu ghalik. Jekk l-istornju jdejqek, ghamel il-kuffji ma widjejk u ma tisma xejn iktar, l-inqas il-horn ta' vettura x'hin tkun ser ittajrek f'nofs ta' triq waqt li tkun qed taqsam it-triq. Veru tal-biki certu nies.
David Vassallo
Sep 8th 2010, 08:55
Naghti l-kondoljanzi lil familji ta' dawn il-vittmi. Naqbel 100% li l-festa kella tithassar ghax kif sar urew illi l-festa purament qed issir ghall business BISS. Bhala delittant malti tal-festi veru dizgustat bl-agir tal-kumitat tal-festa tax-xaghra u specjalment bir-raguni li qed jaghtu. Kont nahseb li ahna l-maltin ma ghadiex tinhass fratellanza bejnietna imma jidher bic-car li l-dawn l-ghawdxin partikolari ilhom hafna li tilfu l-ghaqda bejniethom u li kull ma jqisu huma l-flus u l-business.
M. Fenech
Sep 8th 2010, 10:39
Daqs zgur li ghall-'business' biss isiru l-festi!! Ghalfejn tahseb li hafna festi mexxewwhom ghas-sajf????( Hlief ta' Bormla) Biex johrog fil-berah il-paganizmu sfrenat li jsir f'dawn l-imsejhin festi. Qisu 100 sena ilu ma' kienx hawn dilettanti tal-festa!!! Il-festi kienu jsiru jew fil-gurnata taghhom, jew fl'eqreb zmien possibbli. Nahseb aktar kien hawn devoti u rispett fil-festi ta' 100 sena ilu, milli hawn illum.
Missu jisthi il-kumitat tal-festa tax-Xaghra li mexa bl'aktar mod irresponsabbli f'sitwazzjoni bhal din, u min ha din id-decizjoni, forsi ghada tmiss tracedja lilu, u mbaghad ikun jaf x'hasset l'armla Farrugia!!
D. Muscat
Sep 8th 2010, 08:52
F'ghajnejn l-awtoritajiet tal-knisja w il-paggagalli taghhom tal-kunsilli parrokkjali id-dilettanti tan-nar u tal-armar huma nsara tas-2nd division. Lilna d-dilettanti tal-festi hallejtuna hallejtuna ltiema ... ma jiddefendina hadd.
Joe Mangion
Sep 8th 2010, 08:48
Issirx il-festa jew le mhux se ggib lura lil dawk li tilfu hajjithom. Il punt li ghandu jsir hu jekk din il kamra tan-nar ghandhiex terga tinbena. Missu jisthi il Kunsill ta l-Gharb biex johrog bi proposta ta referendum. Il kmamar tan-nar ghandhom jigu phased out darba ghal dejjem mela taghmel referendum biex tillegalizza il qtil ta aktar nies.
t.farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 08:47
The victims are not from xaghra so the feast will take place anyhow ...yeah right. So very catholic and respectful of you!...all the shrugging and lip pursing of the xaghra man interviewed on pbs news said it all. paganism at its best.
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 10:08
Please stop insulting paganism. You don't even know the meaning of the word. It just exposes your Catholic brainwashing whereby you think that anything not Catholic is despicable.
Charles P Cilia
Sep 8th 2010, 08:40
In the small island of Gozo where practically everybody knows everybody else and the villages are only a few kilometers apart comparable to a small town in any other country. Plus the fact that nearly an entire family was wiped out in the blast, is a disaster that should have been mourned by the entire Gozitan community, including the toning down of the feast in Xaghra.. I am surprised that the Gozitan Curia did not voice its views.
Brian Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 08:38
Min qed jargumenta sabiex dan ix-xoghol isir illegali ma jafx x'inhu jghid. Ghamluh illegali, u wara ftit dan ix-xoghol jibda jinhadem b'mod illegali fil-'garage' ta hdejkom jew ta tahtkom!!
noel muscat
Sep 8th 2010, 08:36
pure hypocrisy at its best !! l-aqwa li naghtu gieh lil Marija Bambina bil-marc ta' filghodu. x'gharukaza. itghallmu ftit minn dak li sar il-Mosta b'rispett lejn min halliena u lejn il-familjari taghhom !!
Robert Henry Bugeja
Sep 8th 2010, 08:35
Now you understand what the church and few people think about the lives of other...Zero!! They dont care and so does the church. The church is there for business and not for some poor suffering soul. They say that God will take care of that!!
Open your mind dear Malta!!! Grow up and Stop living in the middle ages!
Mutual respect and high education are the ONLY keys for a better future in Malta and Gozo!
The church is NOT the key!!!!!
Jesmar Bilocca
Sep 8th 2010, 08:30
dan il katekezmu li tghallimna?! where is the respect?!
victor caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 08:27
With all due repect to those who died and the bereft one must consider that the fireworks factory was a business conern which rightly produced fireworks for profit.
I do not know why feasts, enjoyed by the whole communities, should be stopped from going ahead because of a tragedy in a business concern. wherever such accidents happen.
Johnny Xerri
Sep 8th 2010, 13:22
Maybe just maybe, because the fireworks that caused all this were ordered by Xaghra fireworks commitee and that the Farrugiia's were simply storing these firworks for them?
The Farrugia's did not manufacture these fireworks, but accepted to store them (for a profit I assume), accepting the risk. This is the respect shown for someone who takes risks for you?
Mhux xorta isa namlu festa bla nar la nharaq, umbad is sena id diehla nsibu lil haddiehor min jahdmilna u jahznilna...
M. Aquilina
Sep 8th 2010, 08:23
Ghaliex thassarha l-festa? X'inhuma 5 persuni mejtin? Tafu tisthu? Rispett? Dik kelma antika! Missu jisthi minn iddecieda li kollox jibqa ghaddej qisu xejn mhu xejn. Tmorrux il-festa! Tersqux lejn il-pjazza! Il-quddiesa tal-festa halluha ssir wehidha. Morru sibu knisja l-boghod, sibu qassis u offru quddiesa ghal ruhhom! Naf x'se jigri! Issa la tghaddi l-festa naghmlulhom funeral kbir, xi tletin qassis, knisja mimlija, fjuri u bukketti u kulhadd ghajnejh homor bid-dispjacir. Imma qabel inkunu morna l-festa bhal li kieku l-Madonna se tiehu ghaliha. Ha nikkwota lil San Gorg Preca: "li kieku Kristu kien f'din id-dinja x' kien jaghmel?" Kien jippartecipa f'din il-festa moqzieza? Festa li fic-cirkustanzi toffendi lil Alla! Festa li mhix festa! Fejn hi s-solidarjeta'? Jekk din il-festa ssir bil-barka tal-kapijiet tal-knisja, allura nieqaf nemmen fil-knisja Maltija! Skandlu? Insensittivita'? Ikun xi jkun, Zgur li Kristu mhux se jkun prezenti f'din il-festa! La Hu u lanqas ommu! Minghajrhom prezenti festa tinbidel f'party, attivita', event!
j bonello
Sep 8th 2010, 08:18
DISGUSTING!! Shame on the parish priest and the Xaghra Feast Committee.........pure shame on them
Joseph Mifsud
Sep 8th 2010, 08:16
Il-kumitat tal-festa tax-xaghra messu wera iktar rispett lejn il-vittmi. Wara kollox l-uniku nar fil-kamra kien dak tax-xaghra, ma kienx baqa nar ghal-festi u Nenu Alla jahfirlu zammilhom in-nar li gabu minn Malta bi pjacir u mhux ghal xi gwadann, u naf x'qed nghid. Pjacir li swielu hajtu u hajjet l-ohrajn imbaghad l-kumitat gie jaqa u jqum qisu ma gara xejn. Qed insemmi il-Kumitat ghax mill informazzjoni li ghandi l-Arcipriet ried ihassar ihassar il-festa imma l-Kumitat oppona bil-qawwi u ma halliehx.
joh muscat
Sep 8th 2010, 08:10
Disgrace that the feast of Xaghra will be celebrated as usual. Now it's up to the residents of Xaghra and all of Gozo to BOYCOTT the feast, and all flags at half mast. Insara ta l-isem jekk ma jurux imqar rispett!
patrick zammit
Sep 8th 2010, 08:08
Santa Maria is celebrated in a number parishes around Malta and Gozo.
Mosta cancelled its festivities in respect to two persons who died in two different incidents involving factories which manufactured fireworks for Mosta's Santa Maria.
No other parish in Malta and Gozo celebrating the same Santa Maria cancelled its feast in solidarity.
And nobody accused them of being insensitive etc.
carmel.debono
Sep 8th 2010, 08:07
" Waqt il prova kollox " Hekk kien jighd San Georg Preca . hemm bahar jaqsam bejn dak li tipritka ghal dak li tipratika .Il knisja tghalem biex nirispetaw lil xulxin u x`hin tasal ghal hin tal prova nehlu !!! . Mhux pikka u egoizmu dan ? ta minn suppost jghalmu nerfghow is-salib ma hadiehor fit tbatija .U mhux indawru wiccna naha lohra halli qiesna ma rajna xejn jew ghar minn hekk ax dawk ma jigux minna .? vera affarijet tal bieki u tal misthija u mbghad irridu nuru solidajeta mal barranin mata sir xi disgrazia ? l`ezempju u karita jibdew mid-dar . GHati sabar lil dik l`omm li trid terfa dan SALIB u l mistih ta dejjem lil dawn HUTNA li mietu f`din disgrazia
Joseph Teuma
Sep 8th 2010, 12:49
vera bejn li tipriedka u li taghmel hemm bahar x jaqsam......mhux ghalhekk San Gorg Preca sar qaddis .... kif kien jipriedka kien jghix .....mela baqa bhalu llum
Charmaine Marmara'
Sep 8th 2010, 08:01
imisshom jisthu....nies bla rispett ...laqwa li harqu u ghamlu l festa
Warren Grech
Sep 8th 2010, 07:59
It is shameful that the Xaghra committee decided to go ahead with the feast and much more shameful were the comments justifying such decision. Absolutely disgusting!
gcForte
Sep 8th 2010, 07:45
Paganizmu fl-awqa tieghu. Hemm bzonn isir referendum mal pajjiz kollu, sabiex dawn il kmamar tan nar jispiccaw darba ghal dejjem. Bhal ma ghawn iffissati fuq in nar tal festa, daqshekk ghawn li ma jahmluhx, u jien wiehed minnhom. Ir rispett ghandu ikun reciproku.
M Schembri
Sep 8th 2010, 09:07
@ P Agius
No you don't sympathise with the Farrugia family at all.. With the example you mentioned yes I WOULD have cancelled the wedding!! A few weeks ago, when that poor photographer died tragically while shooting some wedding pictures, the bride and groom wanted to cancel the wedding in respect.. I'm sure they barely knew him but they showed real respect and integrity towards the victim.
@ Joseph Theuma, I agree with you, I'm sure there are many people from Xaghra who are in favour of cancelling the feast.. The words of the misguided church and feast authorities are putting the village in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, and we shouldn't demonise the community. However, those of you who want to show your solidarity with the victims, you should boycott the feast
mario.p.camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 09:09
Then what? If you don't like fireworks then go far away.
m.saliba
Sep 8th 2010, 09:31
I agree
gcForte
Sep 8th 2010, 09:48
@ m.p.camilleri.......You will reach nowhere with egoism, at least I am giving a chance and suggesting a referendum will be held. You gave me no choice, but to go far away, and may I ask you where do I go, when this country belongs to me as much it belongs to you, or maybe more.
gcForte
Sep 8th 2010, 10:11
@ m.saliba..........thank you for the support........at least I am not alone.
P Agius
Sep 8th 2010, 10:21
and what if one o f the waiters dies accidentally 3 hours before my wedding? Would i be morally ok to continue with the festivities?.....So what about traffic accident victims? Shall we cancel the feasts as well?
Take soccer for example - was africa morally ok to continue with the games when the togo football team got under fire?
.It's difficult to draw a line ...that's my point....By the way IU m neither a fan of firworks nor of festas.....the less the better
gcForte
Sep 8th 2010, 11:27
@ P.Aguis...........What you are saying are irrelevant, because you are mentioning ACCIDENTS which can find a solution of what have happened...........working fireworks is like " kamakazi " SUICIDES......Even our fathers had a proverb which can be related to our argument " Min jilghab man nar fl-ahhar jinharaq " la qatt ma qalu fuq il waiter u tant iehor fuq it traffic. U fuq tal football ta Togo, dik kienet politika.....Din hija bhal kull haga ohra, kullhadd ghandu id dritt li jippratika dak li ihobb, pero dan ghandu jghamlu minghajr ma idejjaq lil haddiehor.
P Agius
Sep 8th 2010, 13:03
@ FOrte....I'm sorry but i'm afraid you did not understand me....I am not justifying fireworks-related accidents by arguing that even in sporting events there are accidents......I am against fireworks in the the first place....I only tried to ask myself the question whether the continuation of the village feast made sense by comparing the situation with other accidendts in other fields
P Agius
Sep 8th 2010, 07:45
Although i sympathize with the family and offer my condolences I see no point why feasts should be cancelled when the relationship is purely a commercial one......Let's assume that i hired a fireworks factory to organise a display for my wedding and the whole thing lets off prematurely killing a person while transporting petards......should i cancel my wedding?
gcForte
Sep 8th 2010, 08:19
Of course you cancel your wedding...............It is going to be without fireworks. and what is a wedding without fireworks ? u biex tpoggi aktar melh fuq il ferita........wara ir receviment, mur ghedilhom ituk id deposit lura......ghax ma kellekx fireworks ....Think before you comment..........
A Scicluna
Sep 8th 2010, 10:21
P Agius do you remember some months ago when that photographer died while taking the pre-wedding photos of a couple 1 week before their wedding? They decided to postpone their wedding even if their relationship with the photographer was just a professional one. In the end they did not postpone it just because the photographer's family insisted they should carry on with the wedding. That's called respect!
Joseph Teuma
Sep 8th 2010, 07:41
Jien mix xaghra mill opinjoni tieghi l festa esterna kellha tithassar kollha ....kien ikun gest ta rispett ghal dawn hutna li mietu ,ghax din it tragedja sehhet peress li kien hemm konessjoni mal Festa , personalment naf lil Nenu kien kollega tieghi fuq ix xoghol jiddispjacini hafna b' dak li gara .Min hawn nwassal il kondoljanzi tieghi ghal din it- telfa tragika.Haga nixtieq nghid jekk id decissjoni li ssir il Festa kienet ta xi ftit nies ,m ghandux jehel il poplu kollu tax xaghra naf cert li hafna ma qablux ma din id decisjoni
R Azzopardi
Sep 8th 2010, 07:38
Yesterday I have attended just for few minutes for the Xaghra Festa and I realised the poor attendance. I think it was a very grave mistake no to cancel all outside festivities.
J. Dixon
Sep 8th 2010, 07:37
I think the authorities should make a very URGENT warning NOT to use
mobile phones in firework factories. This warning should be very well
understood by all as currents could easily be generated.
R.Gatt
Sep 8th 2010, 09:01
Mobile phones DO NOT cause explosions (unless you are unlucky enough to have your phone short circuit in the vicinity of explosive materials.) - static electricity is usually the cause.
Read more here: http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp
Condolences to the families and friends of all those involved.
Aldo Buttigieg
Sep 8th 2010, 06:55
Hija verita li ma kien hemm l- ebda konnesjoni mar- rahal, pero hija verita wkoll li ntilfu ammont konsiderevoli ta' nies f' dan l- incident. Personalment kont nippretendi ahjar mill- Awtoritajiet tal- knisja li tant tippridka s- sewwa! La fir- rahal tridu n- nar kunu kostretti li f' accidenti bhal dawn taghmlu s- sagrifficji w thassru l- festi b sinjal ta rispett nkella ghamlu bhal pajjizi taharqu xejn halli ma jwegga hadd.
D.Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 06:45
My deepest sympathies with this poor woman. I ask, who will be with her in her house while she is enduring the pain while this feast is going on? Who will have the conscience to celebrate at such a feast in the background of this tragic accident? Is it possible that we are becoming so desensitised? Don't we all have mothers? Please reconsider such a shameful decision, it really pained me to read this article.
J. Schembri
Sep 8th 2010, 06:22
All people with a sensitive heart should boycott the Xaghra feast. I think the central feast committee is more interested in the business aspect of the feast. Shame on all those who took such a cruel and insensitive decision.
Joseph Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 10:43
Naqbel perfettament. Missna nibbojkotjaw il-festa b'solidarjeta mas sinjura Farrugia.
J.Xuereb
Sep 8th 2010, 02:23
Li titlef lil zewgek hija kbira. Li titlef lil xi hadd min uliedek hija kbira. Imma kemm hi akbar li titlef lil zewgek, u zewgt uliedek f'daqqa wahda? Filli dar mimlija u filli ma fadal xejn hlief bahh u vojt kbir. Jiddispjacini wisq ghal din il-mara, u ma nistax nimmagina l-weggha kbira li titlef lil zewgek u l-uliedek fl-ahjar taghhhom f'daqqa wahda. Xokk enormi!!
carmelo agius
Sep 8th 2010, 02:11
VERU TAL - MISTHIJA. HELA TA FLUS, HELA TA HAJJIET BIEX NICCELEBRAW FESTA KRISTJANA U NIBDLUHA F' WAHDA PAGANA.BIEX TAXXAQA SA JKOMPLU BIL FESTA QISU MA GARA XEJN. ILKOLL AHWA FI KRISTU.EZEMPJU HAJ KIF NGHIXU L- KRISTJANEZMU.IL -MULEJ BISS JAF IT TBATIJA TAL FAMILJI TAL VITTMI.NURU SOLIDARJETA MAGHHOM FDAN IL MUMENT BIT TALB TAGHNA.MULEJ AGHTIHOM IS SABAR U L-GHAJNUNA TIEGHEK. AMMEN.
John Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 01:34
I am reading that the present widow was in contact with her husband a few minutes prior to the blast.
Presumably this was common practice. maybe it was very normal to them to phone each other using a mobile, but I have to disclose an important information at this point.
The day after Mosta's accident, I met and talked to some people who come from a village which is well renowned for its fireworks. They told me that it is very strange to have an accident when all fireworks are ready. They remarked however that during the last few years, fireworks enthusiasta introduced the use of wires and igniters in their fireworks. So much so that today many fireworks crackers are being lit off with ther push of a button. Now there are some who state that if wires are not adjusted, magnetic fields sauch as those emitted from mobile phones can trigger the wires and the igniter inside the forework cracker to explode.
Fireworks enthusiasts please be aware of this danger.
Marc Alan Spiteri
Sep 8th 2010, 00:43
Although I have gathered that there was an excessive amount of fireworks stored on-site, I was still amazed by the decision to proceed with the Festa, and moreover by the reason for this action!
My condolences to Mrs Farrugia, and my prayers to the family of Mr Micallef who is in hospital.
J. J. Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 00:09
Nispera li ta l'anqas mhux se jkun hemm anke loghob tan-nar fil-festa tax-Xaghra.
Elizabeth Bugeja
Sep 8th 2010, 00:03
My deepest sympathy goes to the Farrugia Family, and the in-law families and to the Azzopardi family...After reading all these comments I realized that there are people with heart. I agree with all of them that there should be total mourning for this familys'loss troughout the whole island...'INSARSA TAL L-ISEM ' An act like this makes me ashamed to be Gozitan..
May the Good Lord have mercy upon the dear souls of those that lost their lives 'to please others' and may the Virgin Mary console all the dear ones left behind. The deseased are resting in the mercy of God...but the dear ones that are left behind are here to suffer the loss and the disrespect shown towards the memory of these dear ones...God bless us one and all...+++...
Mario MIcallef
Sep 7th 2010, 23:45
nerga intenni dak li ghedt qabel...DIK HI L-GRAZZI LI HADET L-FAMILJA FARRUGIA TALLI ZAMMET IN-NAR BHALA PJACIR LIL KOMMUNITA TAX-XAGHRA? HA TAQA D-DINJA BILLI SENA MA SSIRX L-FESTA? L-GHOMOR SINJURA FARRUGIA U LIT-TIFLA...KONVINT LI TINSABU FIL-HSIEB TA' HAFNA NIES LI QED JITOLBU GHALIKOM F'DAN IL-MUMENT FERM IEBES...U HADD MHU HA JINSIHOM TAL-KONTRIBUT LI TAW. RIP.
Simon Debono
Sep 7th 2010, 23:40
*did I read correctly*... the Xaghra Committee defended its decision to hold the feast anyway by saying that "the victims did not come from the Xaghra parish" and "the ONLY connection was that the committee commissioned some fireworks from the factory"???
I'm 'blown away by the incredible respect and solidarity coming from the Xaghra committee towards Mrs.Farrugia and her family. How can they possibly celebrate after what happened? 5 people died tragically, 1 is in ITU, a family is shattered and the feast is happening anyway because "they were not from the same parish"!?!? Are these people nuts? But I'm sure that Our Lady is pretty pleased that the feast of the nativity will irrespectively proceed in her name. Subjective I guess, but I believe they should be seriously ashamed of themselves. What has the church got to say about this?
And Mr.Government, it's about *french* time you do something about these explosions. I am striving to take you seriously. If you want votes, do what is right and rock the boat for the good of this country and the safety of it's people. Stop this carnage.
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Farrugia and her family.
O Mamo
Sep 8th 2010, 15:51
Simon Debono
What you wrote is good ...... apart from "But I'm sure that Our Lady is pretty pleased that the feast of the nativity will irrespectively proceed in her name"
That part was really funny, in my opinion. Are you sure about that? Are you positive?
I'm afraid (not even sure) that Our Lady is pretty red-faced that the feast was celebrated.
M. Fenech
Sep 7th 2010, 23:29
Malajr tinkixef il-maskra li jkunu qed jistahbew warajha, dawk li jinqdew bil-fanatizmu tar-religjon kristjana! Bhal dak li qallu, ghax ma kienux mix-Xaghra, u ghax m'ghandhomx x'jaqsmu mal-parocca, mhux xorta jisthoqqilhom rispett!!!!! Peress li Ghawdex fih daqs kontinent, qishom ma jafuhomx!! Mhux ta' b'xejn li ghad hawn minn hu mohhu maghluq u bla rispett!! Ahseb u ara kemm se tkun diskussjoni pozittiva u miftuha dwar id-divorzju! Dan fundamentalizmu sfrenat, li jinqdew b'Alla f'kull okkazzjoni. Nispera li l-Isqof Mario Grech ta' Ghawdex, li ghandi rispett kbir lejh, jsemma lehnu f'sitwazzjoni spjacevoli bhal din!!!
reno calleja
Sep 7th 2010, 23:25
This is the typical hypocrisy I see in the celebrations of feasts to honour the saints in Malta. These pagan rituals are defended by the Church because according to its teaching , these feasts honour the Saint.
The large number of drunkards, almost crazy people , taking part in band marches, the blashemy and sins committed in the name of these feasts reminds me of Roman Orgies
I personally do not give a hoot about saints and fireworks. However I am sure the any saint would have shown more humanity and compassoin towards this widow.
To argue that the firework factory was not part of the parish and that the victims do not come from Xaghra is idiotic, insensitive and cruel.
Tonio Bugeja
Sep 7th 2010, 23:07
May I offer my condolences to this poor widow. This story (or tragedy) is very unfortunate!
what a weak argument and a disrespectful one at that, made. These victims did not come from the parish.... aghhhhh what crass disrespect. They were human beings, our brothers gozitans and maltese flesh and blod! I feel my stomach churn at such utterances! I am really put off! As if our country is so huge where everybody is related to each other!
"not part of the parish and the victims did not come from the parish" may these words haunt you!
Noel Cutajar
Sep 7th 2010, 23:51
Dan turi li l-festi m'huma xejn hlief atti medjokri...hija tal-misthija li kumitat jitkellem hekk fuq nies li mietu biex jaghmlulhom il-briju...nieshom jibku u huma jiccelebraw minn fuqhom...fejn hu l-Isqof issa!! fejn hi il-knisja?
J Galea
Sep 7th 2010, 23:04
I don't know this unfortunate family and actually I am against the production of fireworks in the conditions prevalent in Malta. However, deciding that the feast should "Go ahead as planned" is rather insensitive to say the least and saying that these people were not parishioners as the reason for the decision is an even worse call of judgment. The feast should have gone ahead but in a subdued tone and without fireworks perhaps, to emphasize the loss of such a large number of victims. A candlelight vigil might have been more appropriate and just as religious as the fireworks. The church, of all institutions, should be seen to show compassion and solidarity.
Ernest Vella
Sep 7th 2010, 23:01
Ghanda ragun din il-povra mara...dawn mietu waqt li kienu qed jaghmlu xoghol ghalihom mela l-festa trid tieqaf....jekk ma jsirx hekk dawn in-nies tax-Xaghra ma tantx jixbhuha lil patruna taghhom...din tal-misthija u l-Isqof Grech irrid jintervjeni biex din il-buzzulotta ta festa ma ssirx...buzzulotta ghal dak li jsir estern qieghed inghid....hija ta skandlu li dawn ha jiccellebraw il-festa bis-sagrament ta l-imhabba imbaghad lanqas rispett lejn dawn is-6 vittmi (tarbija nkluza).
Il-Parrocca tax-Xaghra imissha tisthi jekk ticcellebra din il-festa...hadmu xoghol ghalik...irrispettahom jew dawn bil-flus jahsbu li jistghu jaghmlu kollox...le ma tistax....u nittama jekk li jekk il-festa ma ssirx hadd ma jbieghilhom nar....halli jibghatu lil ulliedhom jissugraw hajjithom ghal wicc ta nies ingrati, insara ta l-isem u idolatri....
KLIEM IEBES inghid....imma jekk bir-raguni ma jaslux....imqar bil-kuxjenza jekk ghandhom...L-Isqof Mario Grech biss jista jwaqqafa l-festa issa, la l-kumitat ma jridx...ghandu l-gazz biex jaghmilha....opra tal-hniena hi r-rispett lejn il-mejtin...anke jekk mhux niesek...jekk imut Papa tieqaf il-festa...u dak barrani ahseb u ara ghal min jahdimlek ix-xoghol biex tgawdih int mela!!!
Stephen Mangion
Sep 7th 2010, 23:28
I'm not a fan of firework in fact I tend to loathe them but I have to agree with You my friend. Shame on this act of disrespect. Condolences to the Widow!
Emanuel Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 09:05
Mela sewwa l-ewwel hafna ghaqda bejn l-ghawdxin u issa xejn lanqas biss nafuhom lil dawk il-povri vitmi. Ma smajt l-ebda kummenti min ghand Arcipriet / Kappillan tax-Xaghra ?Dan jekk irid ukoll ghandu sahha li jwaqqaf il-festa ? Jew !!!!!
Sibyl Barbu
Sep 7th 2010, 22:39
I can't begin to imagine what this poor woman is going through losing 5 members of her family, My thoughts and prayer are with you Mrs Farrugia. As for the rest of you who think that the feast should go on just cause Mr Farrugia and his family were not from your village you should really be ashamed of yourselves. Gozo is a tiny island and everyone should be in mourning after this sad loss not having the village feast. Being good Catholics is not about carrying a statue, showing solidarity to what's left of this family is.
Darlene Grima
Sep 7th 2010, 22:34
I agree with her. I think it is a shame that the Festa is still going on after what happend. I think the Priest should also be a shamed not to cancel the Festa in respect to these families. The Festa will be there next year but these people WON"T!!! I am so sorry to hear about this happening. It is so sad. Life is to precious. The people of Xaghra should respect the families of the lost and not allow the Festa to go on. By you attending the Festa is disrespect to this family. How would you feel if this happened to your family. My Deepest Sympathy goes out to all the Families hurt by this terrible tragedy. Even though I don't know these people and I live so far away I know that Gozo feels the loss!!! Rest In Peace to all of them.
Words, however kind,
can't mend your heartache:
but those who care and
share your loss wish you
comfort and peace of mind.
May you find strength
in the love of family
and in the warm embrace
of friends.
Deepest Sympathy
Darlene Grima
New York
R. Ciappara
Sep 7th 2010, 22:10
There's that Christian love for you...
'They're not from our parish so... who cares. We'll find another contractor.'
Renzo Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 00:25
Proset Ciappara!! Ilqatt il musmar fuq rasu!!
S Vella
Sep 7th 2010, 22:07
L-ewwel nett ippermettili nghaddi il kondiljanzi tieghi lielek u il familjari li baqa. Ghandek ragun tkun irrabjat u imweegha bill kbir, pero nghidlek li bhalma hawn nies bla qalb u bla misthija, nassigurak li il maggoranza tal Maltin u l-ghawdxin jinsabu warajk u il familja tieghek u jaqsmu id dulur mghakom. Nassigurak li il vittmi qedin fi hdan mulej imma in nies bla qalb li ghad baqa f din id dinja ghad iridu jghatu kont lill alla ta l-imgieba tahhom. J'alla il mulej jghati lilek u il familjari li baqalek is sabar li tant ghandkom bzonn
Dennis Zammit
Sep 7th 2010, 22:01
I am sorry for her loss but it was too risky to have all the family working in the fireworks industry. Wasn't the explosion of 4 years ago when no one was injured a wake up call for the family?
Johnny Xerri
Sep 8th 2010, 13:07
Dennis, int bis serjeta????
How can one be so cold & cruel....as if you are shifting the blame on them....hope you never get involved in an incedent for it would be too painful for your relatives to hear your very same words directed at them.
David Borg
Sep 7th 2010, 21:58
I think the parish and feast should respect the relatives of the victims and review their decision on the feast. It would have been more prudent had the relatives been consulted before a decision on the feast was taken. Although the death of the victims does not necessarily have to result in the cancellation of feast celebrations, the victims wishes must be given utmost consideration.
J Mercieca
Sep 7th 2010, 21:57
il bambin jaghti s-sabar lil din il-mara li min jaf minn xhiex ghaddejja.
K.Anastasi
Sep 7th 2010, 21:51
Honestly I'm without words ..... my stomach turns with the lack of respect of these so call people.
d cini
Sep 7th 2010, 21:50
why does the xaghra central feast committee choose a legalistic & parochialistic line of argument to carry on with the festa to honor its saint? saints need no honors for they are already blessed. why is the committee ignoring the general feeling that the external festivities should be stopped to show respect for the victims and their respective families' tragedy?
but yes they ignore the suffering of the living in order to honor those who need no honor from us mortals! what a sorry lot!
leo attard
Sep 7th 2010, 21:49
here xaghra....straight from the horse's mouth! go defend your decision to her face
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 13:50
What has Xaghra got to do with this tragedy. Stop blaming Xaghra.
S. Herold
Sep 7th 2010, 21:44
What a tragedy! Hope Mrs. Farrugia will have a lot of people around her who will comfort her! My deepest sympathy!
D Borg
Sep 7th 2010, 21:39
Maria Farrugia l-ewwel nett kondoljanzi ghat-telfa kbira tieghek u lungi giorni.
It-tieni nett ghandek mitt elf ragun, bhala rispett, l-inqas li setghu jaghmlu kien li il-festa ma ssirx ghal dis-sena. Tal-misthija se johorgu jiccelebraw.
Nawguralek kuragg u sabar fil-hajja tieghek ghax ma nistax nimmagina kif qed thossok int bhalissa.
C.Cauchi
Sep 7th 2010, 21:36
My condolences to Mrs Farrugia, there is absolutely no words how one can console this woman, her daughter and daughter in law. I have no relation with this family but as Gozo is so small everyone knows everyone and up until now I always felt that Gozo is a one big happy family but today I feel so differently, I am in mourning for this family even though I just know them by the face, I just can't understand what got into the people of Xaghra, but one thing for sure another show of misguided pontification showing us that when it comes to the crunch, the Church really knows how to put
in practice what it pontifies from altars and pedestals.
The same parish priests who judge each member of the congregation and threaten by phone calls and unequivocal statements
that they will raise hell if certain persons walk the aisle to receive Holy Communion now tell us that what is important
to them is the pagan aspect of our feasts. To hell with humal life, respect and solidarity; the feast must go
on....first to celebrate, the trucks drivers due to collect the truckloads of fireworks from Gharb to Xaghra.
D Farrugia
Sep 7th 2010, 21:34
The phone (unless it was a landline)! At petrol stations there are signs not to use phones! Could it be a cause or hazard??