Xagħra feast carries on despite blast

The feast in Xagħra will be held as planned tomorrow despite the death of three men and a woman in an explosion at a factory that stored the fireworks intended for the parish’s celebrations.

“Here, celebrations are tied to prayer and solidarity. Even the band parades are held with dignity,” said Archpriest Fr Carmel Refalo.

Hardly any fireworks remained following the massive explosion that rocked the small island. The last remaining few were collected yesterday by soldiers during a search for the last victim and factory-owner Nenu Farrugia, 67, whose lifeless body was recovered from the rubble in the morning.

None of the fatalities resided in Xagħra. Mr Farrugia, his son Noel, 31, and his wife Antinette, 27, hailed from Fontana and the fourth victim, Jean Pierre Azzopardi, 27, was from Żebbuġ, Gozo.

“We heard about the explosion during a celebration of prayer, an opportune time for the community to pray for the victims and those who are suffering by this loss. Then, in the evening, we unanimously and very maturely decided to cancel external celebrations that day. This, despite the hype for the parade, which is the largest and the most popular event of the feast,” Fr Refalo explained.

As the search continued at the Għarb site, dozens of young men eagerly raised flags and placed statues on pedestals yesterday with pre-parations in full-swing for the feast marking the Nativity of Our Lady.