Updated: Gharb blast claims sixth victim
Peter Paul Micallef, 35, today became the sixth victim of last Sunday's Gharb fireworks factory explosion when he passed away at Mater Dei Hospital.
Micallef was the son-in-law of fireworks factory owner Nenu Farrugia, who also lost his sons Noel and Raymond, his daugher in law Antoinette and Jean Pierre Azzopardi.
Mr Azzopardi is due to be buried after a funeral at his home town Xewkija on Friday while the members of the Farrugia family are to have a joint funeral at Fontana on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Maria Farrugia, Nenu Farrugia's wife, has spoken on what she went through last Sunday.
“I phoned him (Nenu), literally, a minute before the explosion. I told him not to be late as I was fed up alone... He said he was soon done... Then he suddenly said ‘ciao’ and cut. I think he felt something,” Mrs Farrugia, who lost almost her entire family to the explosion, told The Times.
Moments after that phone conversation ended, people were calling in to report the blast.
“Look what happened to me. My family has been killed. I ended up alone. I have been widowed and so has my daughter and my daughter-in-law. We were a happy and united family,” she said through sobs.
Mrs Farrugia was angry at the fact that the Xagħra feast would go ahead as planned today, even though the explosion was caused by fireworks intended for the parish’s celebrations marking the Nativity of Our Lady.
“After my husband did all that work for them (Xagħra), they should show respect towards them (the victims),” she said in a hurt tone.
On the day of the tragedy, her son Raymond and his wife were meant to celebrate the lucky birthday of their youngest daughter, Maria, who turned five. They also had an 11-year-old son Luca.
Mrs Farrugia was at her home, in Fontana, when the explosion happened. She had just been on the phone with her husband. Sometime later her daughter, Marceline, called her and told her about the explosion.
She tried calling her husband but he did not answer. The two women drove to the factory and saw the devastation.
“I couldn’t believe it. I had just been on the phone with him... I trusted my husband. I knew he was careful,” she said.
Mrs Farrugia later learnt that her husband’s body was found on Monday morning under a metal sheet which, she believes, he hid under when the first blast occurred.
His was the fourth victim to be found after members of the Civil Protection Department and the Red Cross found the corpses of Noel and Antoinette Farrugia and of Mr Azzopardi. Mrs Farrugia denied reports that Antoinette was pregnant.
“It was one shock after the other. First my youngest son and his wife who just got married eight months ago. Then Jean-Pierre, who I considered as my son. Then my husband. Then my eldest son. And now my son-in-law. All shocks to my heart,” Mrs Farrugia said.
She recalled how her husband always had a passion for fireworks and this was inherited by her sons who started accompanying him to the factory when they were about 10 years old.
“I was always a bit scared. I knew it was dangerous... I used to ask him not to take our sons there but they loved going with their father... He adored our children and, now, he took them away with him,” she said through tears.
She said her husband was a good man who was loved by everyone and could not say no to people.
She could not understand why he had allowed the fireworks for the Xagħra feast to be stored at the factory. “Our store was full... They should have taken the fireworks on a barge straight to the destination where they were meant to be let off... Why increase the danger where there is danger already? These things don’t make sense.”
In a message to fireworks enthusiasts she said: “Fireworks are beautiful and without them a feast is not complete... But those unable to handle fireworks should stay away.
“People should not try and invent new things. Be very, very, very careful,” she warned.
Meanwhile, Xaghra festivities continued as normal yesterday with band marches held in the streets. "It was a full blown event, like nothing else had happened," a man who was at the village said.
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ray sacco
Sep 8th 2010, 18:05
"he adored our children"
"they started accompanying him to the factory when they were about 10 years old"
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
no furthur comments needed!
Joseph Calleja
Sep 8th 2010, 18:03
Let us all forget why and how this fireworks factory blew up and grief with their families for the next week or two. I am sure the proper authorities are already looking for the answer. Six lives this week and two more at the Mosta factory last month. I suggest the authorities ban all work done in fireworks factories till the cause of these explosions is found.
P. Buhagiar
Sep 8th 2010, 17:19
Mulej aħfrilna għax ma nafux x'aħna nagħmlu!!!
Paul Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 18:22
Vera ma baqghax misthija f'dan il-pajjiz. Rispett ta' xejn lejn il-vittmi. Ma stennejtiex izda li kleru tax-Xaghra ma jintervjeniex u jipprova jzomm il-festi esterni milli jkomplu ghaddejjin bic-celebrazzjonijiet !! Disappunt kbir - sthajt flokhom jien, specjalment wara l-intervista li ta dak il-membru tal-Kumitat Festi Esterni !!
D Fenech
Sep 8th 2010, 17:18
Recently I listened to a discussion on TV regarding safeguards at fireworks factories and i clearly remember them saying that mobile phones have to be left outside. Even the material of the top used by the people handling the materials is essential!
Yet minutes before explosion they were on the phone to wives!
Rodnick Vassallo
Sep 8th 2010, 16:18
Does any one know the total number of people dead due to fireworks factory explosions in the last 5 years?
J. Bugeja
Sep 8th 2010, 16:08
Mobile phone in a fireworks factory!! I m shocked. RIP and condolonces to all the family. May after all this tradegy fireworks factories are more controlled by saftey laws which have to be abided to. Otherwise the factory should be closed down!
Fenech MD
Sep 8th 2010, 15:40
Jekk qatt kelli dubju kemm in nies li jahdmu n nar ma jqisu xejn, li jahsbu li qatt mhu se jigri xi haga lilhom, issa ghandna l konferma minghand is sinjura Farrugia, meta qalet li zewgha kien jiehu l uliedhom mieghu l kamra tan nar.
Hawn xi hadd jiehu l uliedu u jhallihom (ghall gost) f xifer ta rdum? Hawn min ihallihom f nofs ta triq? Jew ghal dirittura, johodhom hu?
Kif jistghu l Awtoritajiet, tal inqas jekk ma jaghmlu xejn, jahmlu ligi li tfal taht it 18 il sena ma jersqux l hemm?
Daqshekk difficli?
Helen Chircop
Sep 8th 2010, 15:22
Veru tal misthijja.Ghadna kemm ghaddejna min trageddja bhala gewwa il Mosta anzi ghal wahda tnejn ghax ma ridux ninsew lil Mario Farrugia zaghzugh li miet ftit tax xghur ilu blistess kawza.Tghid ma konniex qedghin nistennewa il festa ahna il Mostin,tghid ma kienux preparati il hwienet tal Mosta ghal kummerc .L-ghada ta tragedja sa bdew izarmaw anke it tizjijn li ikun hemm fit toroq u il Mosta kienet isa cimiterju bid djiqa li kien hemm.Ma ridux ninsew li nghidu x'nhgidu dawn in nies mietu b'oggett li meta tasal il festa tar rahal kullhadd ikun qed jistennih ghalkemm jien wahda li jekk jaqtaw in nar ma jiddispjaciniex ghax ma niflahx nisma izjed bit trageddji bhal dawn.Li il festi tkomplew nerga nghid VERU TAL MISTHIJA U NUQQAS KBIR TA RISPETT LILL FAMILJA TAL VITTMI.Naghti il kondoljanzi liz zewg familjij u Mulej izomm idejh fuqhom
vince cachia
Sep 8th 2010, 14:57
A few people are disrupting the much awaited village feast by their incompetence. Fireworks production is not a hobby! It is a rendering business in which there is a lot of money involved.
Now why are you bloggers taking it up against Xaghra Parish. They are right intheir decision. The victims are not from Xaghra but they still paid their respects. They offered all the masses for their souls, raised 13000 euros for their families, and most of all they celebrated their feast QUIETELY not as some bloggers said or thought!!
R.Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 17:09
Att; Vince Cachia.
Naqbel mieghek perfettament sur Cachia. Xrid isir aktar ghal vittmi hlief talb. Il-kliem li jsir fil-vojt ma'jiswa tajjeb ghal hadd anzi nahseb aktar hsara jghamel milli gid. Nitolbu ghalihom u nghatu sapport lil min hallew warajhom. Ma' noqghodux nippuntaw subghajna lejn x'sar biex nghatu xi tort lil xi hadd. Anzi ghandna nitghallmu mill izbalji li setghu saru. Minn jghamel dan ix-xoghol ghandu jiftah ghajnejh berah u jekk hemm bzonn anke widnejh biex jara x'inhu jinghad tajjeb. 'Madonna ilqahhom fi hdannek'.
Ernest Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 14:54
skandaluz...u Kristu qal "Jekk taghtu skandlu lil wiehed min dawn iz-zghar ahjar torvot gebla ta thin ma ghonqok u tintefa l-bahar".
Jiddispjacini, imma tithassar festa ghax tnejn jiggieldu, hafna drabi lanqas ikunu mir-rahal u ma tithassarx jekk itir kamra tan-nar...id-Djocesi t'Ghawdex ghanda problema jekk lanqas gazz twaqqaf festa m'ghandek...issa kien ic-cans...ahjar titlef tuzzana nies mill-Knisja ghax twaqqaf festa milli titlef iktar ghax gew skandalizzati min agir diz-uman, u nieqes min kull logika u mhabba nisranija...jiddispjaci imma dawn huma l-fatti...u dawn li huma dizgustati ghandhom ir-ragun kollu anke jekk qatt ma resqu lejn Knisja jew huma anti-klerikali.
Nassigurhom imma, li dawn huma l-eccezzjoni fil-Knisja u fil-gejjien irridu jpattu ghal eghmilhom, mill-Knisja u fis-sema...Hniena rrid mhux sagrificcju...Imissna nisthu...pjaga ohra ma li ghandna
S.Agius
Sep 8th 2010, 14:43
@ c camilleri.
"His was the fourth victim to be found after members of the Civil Protection Department and the Red Cross found the corpses of Noel and Antoinette Farrugia and of Mr Azzopardi. Mrs Farrugia denied reports that Antoinette was pregnant."
Have you read the full article..... Antinett was not pregnant
c camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 18:20
someone must have said that the woman was pregnant and that was definitely NOT me. These rumours were denied by Mrs. Farrugia... ok she has a right to say that. Were autopsies carried out to check whether the dead woman was pregnant or not? Not really important at this stage to be honest.
That means that I do not feel sorry for anyone who plays with fire! I would only feel sorrow and sadness if innocent victims were involved.
He who plays with fire can get burned! and that is exactly what happened! Point taken and given.
May Cassar
Sep 8th 2010, 14:32
Meanwhile, Xaghra festivities continued as normal yesterday with band marches held in the streets. "It was a full blown event, like nothing else had happened," a man who was at the village said.' Most probably Xaghra did not have the fireworks that they usually have, if any, still the feast went ahead. Proving that the spending of thousands of euros in fire works and the lose of life in their manufactor are not a neccessity for one to have a good time, As was proven by Xaghra residents who did not even put any value on the loss of their neighbours lives.
E.Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 14:31
il kondoljanzi lil familja Farrugia kif tista tiggieled biex tghamel il festi ta barra meta tara il video tat tragedja???mhu xejn ta sodisfazzjon li tghamel festa bin nar u jintilfu daqshekk hajjiet ma nahsibx li il qaddisin jridu dawn il kwalita ta festi Kollox iebes biex jindara, mma jekk il knisja tghati palata [ghax il festa principalment hi tal knisja le?] kollox kapaci nidraw N.B.ma nridx nkun fiz zarbun ta din l omm mifnija ommijiet jekk tistghu thallux lil uliedkom jersqu lejn kmamar tan nar ghax tghalu mma wara jkun ghal xejn
RMangion
Sep 8th 2010, 14:04
Sa issa l-unika skuza li rcivejna mix-Xaghra kienet li ghax dawn ma kinux mil parrocca u ma kellomx xjaqsmu ma Xaghra. Fl-opinjoni tieghi din hija skuza banali, tat-tfal u pagana ghall-ahhar. Ma nafx kif l-arcipriet preparat jaghmel xi quddiesa soleni jew xi omleija u jparla dwar l-imhabba meta ttiehdet din id-decizjoni fil-parocca tieghu. Ghalfejn ? biex noqghodu niftahru kem ghandna pavaljuni, u kemm kellna festa sabiha, u kemm kellna business |?
Donald Friggieri
Sep 8th 2010, 13:56
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Yes, 'n' how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Bob Dylan
M Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 13:47
NO COMMENT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxC-WPV4ks4
M.Portelli
Sep 8th 2010, 13:43
Bhas-soltu, nintilfu fuq l-irqaqat u nispiccaw induru mal-lewza. X'inhu d-dnub? d-dnub li familja shiha tfarrket, spiccat u hadd u xejn mhu ha jgib lil dawn lura. Kienu jafu x'qed jaghmlu? iva.... imma, ghal ragunijiet li jifhmuhom biss huma (jigifieri dawn li huma dilettanti tan-nar) mid-dehra l-beneficcji jaqbzu r-riskji u allura jaghzlu li joqoghdu jitolbu l-Madonna, forsi ma ttirx il-kamra taghhom. Jien personalment li ma nifhimx akka fin-nar u ma nista' nifhem qatt din l-attitudni u ragunament - imma nirrispetta lil min ma jifhimhiex bhali.
Kull min kien il-festa tax-Xaghra jaf li L-FESTIVITAJIET MA BAQGHUX GHADDEJJIN kif kienu.....u min ma kienx hemm please jaghlaq halqu u ma jparlax fil-vojt! Il-marcijiet brijuzi m'humiex isiru. il-poplu xaghri qed jitlob bi hgaru, f'kull funzjoni, ghal vittmi....u dawn li qed jippuntaw subghajhom, x'qed jaghmlu? Mela, k'nitolbu hazin, k'nigbru l-flus hazin! Imma k'nibqghu nitfghu l-velenu, dak sew??? U r-responsabilitajiet ta' kull min kien involut ...dawk hadd ma jsemmihom? Intlifna fuq il-marc! Isir u ma jsirx, x'ha nibdlu? XEJN!
Ghax ma niddiskutux l-importanti? Jigifieri, s-serjeta' li bih qed jinhadem u jingarr n-nar f'pajjizna, min qed jithalla jidhol fil-factories tan-nar ecc?? Billi ma saritx il-festa tal-Mosta....l-kmamar baqghu itiru!!!!.....U SE JIBQGHU!
Joe Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 13:41
Mietu sitta u l-arcipriet ferhan bil-marc ghaddej. L-isqof ma jghid xejn? Ghar-ritratti meta lahaq biss rajnieh? L-aqwa li gabrulhom il-flus, biex taparsi jserrhu l-kuxjenza. Tal-misthija!
alla taghhom mhux Alla tieghi!
Mark Mercieca
Sep 8th 2010, 13:41
Is it possible that the fireworks are being ignited when a mobile phone is being used? We are advised not to use a mobile in petrol stations! So maybe ...................
Lisa Seisun
Sep 8th 2010, 13:34
the fireworks are nice but not worth it, but I was very shocked that the feast is going to continue after an explosion like this that took away all these lives. normally when 1 person dies in fireworks the external feast does not continue at all !!!
Victor Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 13:08
Why are ppl surprised? Did you not know that in this dear country of ours Everything Is Possible?
c camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 13:07
x'jigrilu min jilghab man-nar? Jinharaq! Full Stop. I feel sorrow only for the unborn child that happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time not through its own choice. Ara ma jigix xi hadd u jakkuzani b'nuqqas ta rispett lejn min miet issa. Min, li ghandu sens f'mohhu, li jkun qed iggorr tarbija gofiha tersaqqlek lejn kamra tan-nar? Kullhadd jaf li l-inqas spark joghla kollox mas-sema. Qisu wiehed jaqbez go bahar mimli sharks bil guh mejta, u jippretendi li ma jibilawhx.
P.Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 14:09
In the above news article, Mrs Farrugia denied media reports that her daughter-in-law was pregnant. So why keep repeating the same comments!
May God be with this woman and let us all pray for her to pass through this terrible tragedy! I am sure we will do more good if we pray for her instead of hurting her with unnecessary comments.
S.Agius
Sep 8th 2010, 14:40
Hafna BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA - READ THE FULL ARTICLE and there is a confirmation that Antinette was not pregnant and this was confirmed by Mrs. Farrugia Nenu's wife.
Sylvana Agius
Sep 8th 2010, 15:03
Before you comment on this article READ it!!. Your words are not appropriate. Antinette was not pregnant and this was confirmed by Mrs. Farrugia Nenu's wife.
"His was the fourth victim to be found after members of the Civil Protection Department and the Red Cross found the corpses of Noel and Antoinette Farrugia and of Mr Azzopardi. Mrs Farrugia denied reports that Antoinette was pregnant."
Ann Mary COrkett
Sep 8th 2010, 13:04
At the end of the firework displays we should ask ourselves the question
"WAS IT WORTH IT?"
Paula Briffa
Sep 8th 2010, 12:55
Deepest sympathy to all the family Farrugia and to the family of Jean-Pierre. Sincere condolences to them all. R.I.P. Raymond Farrugia, Nenu Farrugia,Jean-Pierre Azzopardi,Noel & Antoinette Farrugia. This tragedy has been one of the biggest shocks of my life even though I don't know the people that have died & their families.
S Montesin
Sep 8th 2010, 12:43
May they all rest in peace.
The church should lead by example and in solidarity with the family should have cancelled all the celebrations.
Disgusted with their decision.
D Delia
Sep 8th 2010, 12:35
This is the typical devastation of a woman who loses her loved ones in fireworks. Relatives of firework enthusiasts should consider what their beloved ones are doing. They must learn to put their foot down and stop their beloved ones involving themselves anymore. When tragedy strikes no feast cancellation or anything else can help them get over it.
vincent scerri
Sep 8th 2010, 12:33
U iva, g.c. Forte ha zball f'isem. Ibilugh, bukkun fih. Li huwa mportanti hu l-gist tal-messagg. Taqblu jew ma taqblux mieghu?
L. Bonnici
Sep 8th 2010, 12:31
Taking 10 year old kids to a fireworks factory? I don't know about you but I feel that comment is too disturbing! I don't know why the feast is still going on, and I'm not going into the merits of it! What I want to say is how many of these 6 victims (and all the other fireworks factory victims to that matter) understand the chemistry behind fireworks? I mean the real chemistry, with all the chemical reactions, etc etc..... It doesn't really matter how careful people are, if the chemicals are highly reactive, or of lower quality something bad is going to happen.
It's obvious that there's something wrong with the whole firework factories explosions going on ... everyone should stop saying that without fireworks a feast is incomplete. Having a "complete" feast is not worth the loss of life! It's a stupid and useless way to go.
When is the country going to learn that fireworks are not worth the waste of precious and beautiful lives??
David Cutajar
Sep 8th 2010, 12:27
As previously stated we have incompetent and irresponsible leaders who have had the chance to make sure the fireworks industry is run on professional lines and in line with EU law on handling of dangerous explosives and chemicals. The lack of action by the Government and the Church is simply disgusting . Now we have a whole family wiped out , God bless them . All this on the anniversary of the patrol boat disposing of illegal fireworks that exploded killing 7 nearly three decades ago. We have learnt nothing because we elect local and national politicians without principles more interested in pleasing local canvassers from the band and fireworks clubs than in education and health and safety, Incidentally this is symptomatic of the way the country is run and has been run by politicians of all parties.. We are an intelligent , creative and successful nation , why do we put up with this embarrassing mediocrity ?
Albert bezzina
Sep 8th 2010, 12:25
If the cause of the cluster of accidents is unknown and the occurrence of some of them developed AFTER the fireworks were completed, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXCLUDE THE RISK OF 'SPONTANIOUS' DETONATION DURING THE TRANSPORT PHASE ALONG PUBLIC ROADS? Road vehicles carrying flammable material have to display warning signs. Have these 'transports of death' displayed any such warning signs. If our politicians disagree with the imposition of a moratorium on fireworks manufacture before the cause of this cluster of accidents has been elucidated, they must be held personally accountable and not the institutions they are supposed to be representing should third parties get injured or killed.
D. Sultana
Sep 8th 2010, 12:19
"It was a full blown event, like nothing else had happened," this is a BIG FAT LIE.
Dear Mr. person who was at the village : if you are against xaghra's decision to carry on with the feast what on Earth were you doing there? You should have stayed home, praying in respect for the victims!
Ray Buhagiar
Sep 8th 2010, 12:12
Perhaps those who factories who supplied the fireworks should also cancel their feasts! And those who pay year in year out to fund firework factories should feel some guilt and out of respect send their fees to charity homes......nibqghu sejrin hekk nhasru kollox.
ABorg
Sep 8th 2010, 12:33
Issa xi jridu jhassru l-festi jekk dawn diga saru!!!!!!
Joseph C Gauci
Sep 8th 2010, 12:10
What has Bishop Mario Grech to say? All that is happening is in his dioces. His silence is perturbing. I feel that he should have intervened and director tha Xaghra Chapter to cancel the feast.
a.grima
Sep 8th 2010, 12:48
naqbel hafna......l-ghomor lill familja farrugia, .......familja rispettata hafna.......familja li dejjem kont tahom flimkien........familja ezemplari. l-ghomor ukoll ghall familja ta` Peter Paul u Jean Pierre... Mulej sabbar lill dawn in-nies
Albert Bezzina
Sep 8th 2010, 12:00
In the 13 August Mosta Dwejra explosion 'elecronic detonators' were mentioned. Are these eletronic detonators suseptable to interferance from mobile phone emissions? Have mobile phone emissions been excluded from the possibility. The temporal proximity between mobile phone use and the explosion may be coincidental or not.
j.spiteri
Sep 8th 2010, 11:58
How many must die to stop a feast, 10, 20, 100?
A.E. Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 11:54
Apart from the terrible result of this latest fireworks explosion, and for which I am still shocked by the number that have fallen victim, may I ask anyone in the know-how whether activating a mobile phone in the immediate area where fireworks are being manufactured/stored would most probably cause the fireworks to ignite and explode. Can anyone give a very clear reply to this direct question please? Thanks.
Celine Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 12:26
It crossed my mind too and reminded me of the sign at petrol stations to swich off mobiles.
Karl Micallef
Sep 8th 2010, 13:20
1. You should do some research since it was proved that a mobile phone in a petrol station won't cause any explosion.
Since the main explosion most probably happened in the trucks themselves, it would be more realistic that a static has been done by one the workers' clothes.
A.E. Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 17:18
To add to my earlier query, it has been reported that Mrs Farrugia had been on the phone with her husband immediately before the explosion. Does this not make one suspect as to a possible reason for the ignition to go off?! I just wonder!
MG Buttigieg
Sep 8th 2010, 11:52
Too many words as too much food can at times cause a severe indigestion. It is no use standing on opposite sides hurling abuse and condemnation. If the readers of this news item and those who are posting comments are truly interested in making a positive contribution they should at least have followed the Pontifical High Mass celebrated an hour ago at Xaghra Parish. It was a dignified celebration where Bishop Mario Grech again showed the way forward for his flock.
Please don't continue stoking the fire with your useless words. Make an effort to appreciate the whole situation. Silent reflection contributes more towards positive action than all the words (at times even word of abuse) being written and hurled about. A good dose of restraint born of humility is needed and this especially from the media. Let words heal and not wound to death.
Rocco Cauchi
Sep 8th 2010, 12:37
I sincerely hope your dear Bishop will have second thoughts when he has gone home and read all the comments on this website. The faithful expect a non-verbose exposition soon, to be followed by quick ACTION, possibly before this evening.
gcForte
Sep 8th 2010, 11:47
Tikkunsidra il kummenti li qeghed isiru u li diga saru, u meta tara li la l-Arcisqof Pawlu Cremona u aktar l-isqof ta Ghawdex Mario Grech, ma jifthux halqhom, dwar dak li qeghed jigri fl`Gharb.........il Knisja qeghedha tbati, jekk is silenzju huwa risposta, ta l-anqas ghedulna ta liema risposta. Il mistoqsijha hija semplici...........Taqblu jew ma taqblux ma dak li iddecida il Kappillan ta l- Gharb ?
Geraldine Rickard
Sep 8th 2010, 11:55
Mhux tal-gharb, tax-Xaghra!!!!
C. Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 11:56
Ippermettili nikkoregik, il-kappillan tax-Xaghra u mhux ta' l-Gharb.
Joseph Grima
Sep 8th 2010, 11:59
Jekk joghgbok, nista nkun naf x'iddecida il Kappillan ta l- Gharb ? Grazzi.
A. Grech
Sep 8th 2010, 12:08
Kemm il- kummenti kif ukoll il- mistoqsija huma validissimi, izda l-'Kappillan' (Arcipriet ) ta' l-Gharb assolutament ma ghandux x'jaqsam mad-decizjoni tal-Festa tax-Xaghra.
j attard
Sep 8th 2010, 12:11
Kapillan ta l-Gharb x'ghandu x jaqasam issa?? Nara kummenti bhal dawn ninduna kemm hawn qedin iparlaw u ma jafux x inhuma jajdu jahasra!! Aqraw l artikli sew jahasra!!. Ghax go Ghawdex stess li kulhadd jaf lil kulhadd, u hlief kulhadd jivvinta stejjer godda ma hawnx. Ahseb u ara minn wara l skrivanija bli naraw fuq facebook u naraw il comments tan nies kemm nistaw niggudikaw.
Insomma ma naqbilx ma li ghamel l arcipriet tax Xaghra li kompla bic-celebbrazjonijiet. Fl opinjoni tieghi messu hassar il marcijiet.
Thanks
John Attard
Sep 8th 2010, 12:21
Bhal bosta li qed jiktbu online, assolutament m ghandekx idea ta' x gara u x qed jigri! Ta min jinfurmak li l-kamra tan-nar li kienet responsabilita ta' nies mill-Fontana kienet tinsab l-Gharb. Issa l-festa qed issir fix-Xaghra! L-arcipriet tal-Gharb ma jidhol xejn fl-istorja!
Ghalhekk ma nahsibx li hu daqshekk facli li wiehed jghid x kien messu sar jew le. Kieku l-kamra tan-nar kienet tax-Xaghra u kienet tinsab ix-Xaghra, id-decizjoni kienet tkun aktar facli.
Ta' min niftakru fil-mejtin kollha...forsi b'mod specjali f'Jean Pierre Azzopardi li donnu ghax ma kienx membru tal-familja Farrugia ftit isemmuh.
gcForte
Sep 8th 2010, 15:34
@ All...........Grazzi talli urejtuni li mhux talli taqraw il kummenti tieghi, imma ghanke toghoqdu attenti x`nghid........L-importanti huwa li ghal min ridt nibaghat il messagg, jifehem ghal min kont qeghed nirreferi. Li jiddispjacini li waqt li ahna nidwellaw ma xulxin ( f`sens ta hbieberija u soledarjeta ), min hu kompitenti jibqaw iharsu min wara il purtella.
K.Anastasi
Sep 8th 2010, 11:44
You can always celebrate next year, ... a disgrace to carry on the celebrations, I hope people will boycott them. Mosta set an example.... Xaghra should follow!
NADIA FUCILE
Sep 8th 2010, 11:41
arukaza kbira li il festa saret xorta meta jkun xi hadd min tal familja li tkunu tigu minha tafu xi gifiri lanqas rispet ma fadal f dan il pajjiz
Carmel Serracino-Inglott
Sep 8th 2010, 11:40
to those who are first to condemn. Have you gone to church and prayed for the victims?. Some are always blaming the priests at all costs. Better concrete suggestions are welcome to find a solution ( or better the situation) of these factories. Think and Pray.
JOSEPH MUSCAT
Sep 8th 2010, 11:36
When are the people of Malta going to realise that the church is there to MANIPULATE the people it`s nothing more than an organization that still treats the lower class as [FIDILI]
i am sure if the creator comes to this planet he wont regognise them with their WEALTH while 1/5 of the world is starving
give my gondelence to the families of the people who lost their lives for the sake of the XAGHRA FEAST.
S Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 12:06
Il-knisja f'malta qeda hemm biss biex tiggieled kontra id divorzju bhsll meta intqal m ilux li min jivvota ghad divorzju jghamel dnub, biex ma tqarbinx lill pogguti, qisom ma humiex l-istess alla, u biex jehilsu minn xi Father Mark Montebello ghax jitkellem car u miftuh u jirfsilom il kallijiet, u wara kollox jikxfilom l-ipokrizija. F'kaz bhall dan il knisja tibqa siekta ghax insara iktar mill papa!!!!!
Mark Mallia
Sep 8th 2010, 13:37
S Vella wants our catholic church to be persecuted for its believes like at the time of the martyrs. As long as our people remain committed to God and His Church, then no S Vella will be allowed to triumph. He will be crushed like all the tyrants who came before him and tried to destroy the catholic church with their actions or their writings. Yes the Church (meaning us who form part of the catholic church) will fight tooth and nail against divorce, agaist immorality, against pogguti, and if needs be we will campaign severely against those who try to distabilise our country with their perverted ideas and their obscenities. Our constitution makes us a catholic country whether you like it or not. And truth will always triumph.
John Inguanez
Sep 8th 2010, 11:16
How can one celebrate knowing six people died because of fireworks meant for the same feasts? Is the feast more important than six lives? Where is the respect we should show to one other? How can one say 'they were not from our village. It was only a business venture...we bought fireworks'. No this was different it was not a business venture, they contracted them to make their feast more beautiful, perhaps more beautiful than their neighbours'. I am sure some is ashamed how our values were thrown to the ground!
ERIKA SPITERI
Sep 8th 2010, 11:08
if the authorities continue to condone this carnage by not speaking out against the celebration of this feast and not putting a moratorium to the production and distribution of fireworks, they are guilty by ommission. By authorities, I mean both the Church and the government.
I suggest that people who operate these factories should have a degree; the University of Malta could be approached to set up a degree in pyrotechnics.. Policies need to be revised and stricter regulations enforced. Until such time , NO MORE FIREWORKS PLEASE!
C. Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 12:09
@ Erika Spiteri - "if the authorities continue to condone this carnage by not speaking out against the celebration of this feast and not putting a moratorium to the production and distribution of fireworks, they are guilty by ommission. By authorities, I mean both the Church and the government."
I agree with you 100 %...Where are the authorities? Why the total silence from the Church re the insensitive and abysmal pagan carrying-on of the feast? Silence speaks volumes: and what I'm hearing is: WE DON'T CARE! Will they be knocking on doors in a few days, collecting money *ghan-nar tas-sena d-diehla?* Shame on YOU ALL! Any surprise for the Church that people are distancing themselves from it? Jesus Christ was always compassionate and forgiving, made no distinction of WHO is from our town or not, dealt with the sick and lepers!! The church in this case is acting totally insensitive, blind, and callously indifferent to losing 7 its sheep in such a horrific way. People will not forget this EVER!
R Carabott
Sep 8th 2010, 11:05
Quote: "It was a full blown event, like nothing else had happened," a man who was at the village said. Unquote: With what is happening I would dare, and easly, classify the village of Xaghra as the modern Sodoma and Gommorah of the 3rd millenium, of which the future generations would still talk of this obscenity...
"Iesus autem dicebat Pater dimitte illis non enim sciunt quid faciunt" .... May God have mercy ON ALL OF US.
Martin Bezzina Wettinger
Sep 8th 2010, 11:04
I strongly feel that people working with such dangerous chemicals should have a degree in Chemistry. Children and people who are not qualified should not be aloud to handle them. They are a danger to themselves and also to innocent people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Alfred Gatt
Sep 8th 2010, 11:04
For clarification purposes, your title should have been 'seventh victim' as the young wife was pregnant. The child in the womb is considered a 'person'. Thanks.
Condolences to all concerned. May God and Our Lady give the bereaved the strength to cope with this tragedy.
Michael Cassar
Sep 8th 2010, 11:45
Ghall-informazzjoni tieghek, il-mara mejta MA KINITX tqila.
RMangion
Sep 8th 2010, 14:00
Ghall informazzjoni tieghek Michael cassar, dak hua dak li irraportat il-media.
Rocco Cauchi
Sep 8th 2010, 11:00
Much as I love the Church, I consider this double talk and double action deleterious for its well being and transparency before an ever growing skeptical population which wants to be ruled by hard facts not mere words. The next time the Bishop of Gozo speaks we hope we shall not be seeing empty high-faluting moralising but concrete action as to an apology that the Chirch has for long now tied itself up with the pagan traditions surrounding our festa celebrations and its cover up of this situation trodding along with feet of clay (symbols, in the OT, of a pagan god).
The people of God look for a beacon in the Church and its Bishops, and so no foot dragging can be tolerated any longer. Transparency is the key word and where scandalous decisions or actions are taken by priests, laity or councils, the Bishops must speak out and ACT to stop scandals. That is why they dress in red after all, to signify their ever present disposition to martyrdom, without fear or favour, and notwithstanding what their peers or faithful (as long as we remain so after what we are seeing) say.
Mark Caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 11:00
I don't come from Xaghra. I am neither a feast enthusiast nor a fireworks enthusiast but I respect Maltese traditions and wish that they will be kept but with strict adherence to safety. I just can't understand the lack of christian principles of solidarity that was used in Xaghra under the eyes of the bishop of Gozo. Sometimes I do think that preachers are there only for words words words and when reality bites their principles ideology and spirituality fades away. I think that we have a serious problem in the practice of our religion and this problem is not only in the roots but it is also on the upper strata of the Christian Church in Malta. I can imagine what the blessed Jesus Christ would do in front of the parish church in Xaghra today if he decided to visit us mortals in person. Shame on you Gozo diocese.
ML. Schembri
Sep 8th 2010, 10:57
ID-dieqa hija kbira meta d-dwejjaq jaqaw f kull kantuniera tal hsieb.Huwa dispjacier kbir li wiehed jitlef persuna ghazieza,imma ma ghandniex niddajfu fil-ispirtu ghax kull gurnata hija grazja minn ALLA fejn tana l-beneficju li nitolbu ghal dak li halliena.
Dan huwa biss il-passagg u l-mixja ghal Hajja Eterna.
B' DIEQA U SOGHBA mal FAmiljari ta MARIA AZZOPARDI.
M. Fenech
Sep 8th 2010, 10:56
I'm amazed that neither the PN nor the PL have issued a statement regarding this tragedy! It seems that both political parties don't want to mess around with these called 'festa', or they don't want to mess around in Church affairs!!!!!!! I just wonder!!!! Lol!!! Only In Malta
patrick zammit
Sep 8th 2010, 10:56
"She recalled how her husband always had a passion for fireworks and this was inherited by her sons who started accompanying him to the factory when they were about 10 years old."
Is legislation (if any) being enforced?
ialamango
Sep 8th 2010, 10:50
“Look what happened to me. My family has been killed. I ended up alone. I have been widowed and so has my daughter and my daughter-in-law. We were a happy and united family,” she said through sobs.
First of all condolences to all family members of this tragic loss. Looking at the quote above.. 'my family has been killed' - who is Mrs Farrugia blaming exactly for this 'accident'?
No pun intended but are these people who work in this sector putting their OWN life at risk? is anybody forcing them ?
I think that NO... so?
Charles Micallef
Sep 8th 2010, 10:50
Could some of the bloggers please restrict their comments on their blogs. They do not need to be reminded there is widow out there who lost 5 members of her family as well a an unborn grandchild , one has every right to venture their frustrations but in the present circumstances our thoughts, prayers and solidarity should be with the victims relations!
A. Gauci
Sep 8th 2010, 10:46
Jien ma nistax nifhem kif il-festa tax-Xaghra ser issir xorta wahda.
Ghandkom nitfa rispett lejn min kien lest li joffri hajtu biex jara li l-festa tkun ta' success?
Jien nammira hafna lil dawk li jaghmlu n-nar. J'alla il-Bambin izomm idejn fuqkom!
axuereb
Sep 8th 2010, 10:42
Meanwhile, Xaghra festivities continued as normal yesterday with band marches held in the streets. "It was a full blown event, like nothing else had happened," a man who was at the village said...Bravi, veru tal-misthija!Ghandek ragun Sinjura Farrugia tkun irabbjata.J Alla l-Bambin issabbarkhom f din it-telfa kbira taghkhom.
Alex Debono
Sep 8th 2010, 10:41
Tghid Marija Bambina... hekk ridet.. ridet li tara n-nies jifirhu fil-marc bla rispett ta xejn lejn dawn n-nies... Staqsu lilkom infuskhom kieku Marija kienet mix-xaghjra kienet tohrog al-festa...Dazgur li le.... U kif l-isqof ta ghawdex ipermetta dan kollu jsir... Gharkaza sirna wisq insesittivi lejn l-proxxmu.... Paganizmu... U l-qassis qed ikomplu jziduh dal-paganizmu.... Ma nistax nifhem basta nippridkaw kontra d-divorzju... imbghad inhallu dil-porkerija issir..
Wayne Scicluna
Sep 8th 2010, 11:34
naqbel mijek 100%
Festa saret business illum... imma in-nies qatt ma jitallmu.
J'Alla jtijom il-paci ta dejjem.Amen
I D'Amato
Sep 8th 2010, 11:51
Ghadni ma nistax nifhem x'qalb ghandhom biex hallew il-festa ghaddejja isu qatt ma gara xejn u fl-istess hin ghal dawk li huma kattolici ta vera nimmagina u certissimu li jisthu jghidu li ahna kattolici wara tragedja kbira bhal din u baqa sejjer kollox isu xejn ma gara meta Malta U Ghawdex kollu mahsudin b din id-disgrazzja kbira. Fejnu ir-RISPETT ?? Kondoljanzi lil familji taghhom....
R.Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 10:40
ETERNAL REST GRANT TO THEM, O LORD,
AND MAY PERPETUAL LIFE SHINE UPON THEM ALL,
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE, AMEN.
O MOTHER MARY,
ON YOUR BIRTHDAY,
LEAD THEM SAFE AND SOUND INTO THE BOSOM OF THE MERCIFUL FATHER.
MARY, COMFORTER OF THE AFFLICTED,
CONSOLE ALL THOSE THEY HAVE LEFT BEHIND.
j. caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 14:34
AMEN
Teresa Pace
Sep 8th 2010, 16:12
AMEN!!
J Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 10:40
If this tragedy doesn't bring a halt to fireworks making in Malta I don't know what will. This feast should have been cancelled out of respect for the victims. The Church should be at the forefront of the calls for imported fireworks or manufacturing and storing under modern conditions. It should take the lead at a national level, together with government. The next question that arises then is how will fireworks made elsewhere be properly transported and stored and those handling them and living near them kept safe. This family's suffering should spur a reform of the system. It should not be in vain. Nothing is worth this type of loss.
Phil Penguin
Sep 8th 2010, 10:39
Not only is Xaghra's parish attitude disgusting, unchristian and sickening but to show to what abysmal levels Catholicism in Malta is reaching, a number of Maltese parishes are organising. One example is this:
"Infakkru fil-Gozo by Night għall-Festa ta’ Marija Bambina fix-Xagħra li qed torganizza l-Kummissjoni Festa Esterna. Il-postijiet issa huma limitati għalhekk min jixtieq jiġi huwa mitlub li ma jħallix aktar tard mill-llum il-Ħadd 5 ta’ Settembru."
It hasn't been cancelled http://www.fguraparish.org/pages/fgura_llum.html
Charmaine Marmara'
Sep 8th 2010, 10:37
ISTHU mbasta tippridkaw l alla u ghandkom il wicc tghidu ghax mux ta listess parrocca ,komplu ghaddejjin ja nies bla rispett ,familja shiha ghada kemm mietet ,mara spiccat wahedha u intom tixxalaw ,bhal pagani ghamiltu xejn iktar imisskom tisthu
Antoine Sant
Sep 8th 2010, 10:36
I thank the good Lord I don't hail from Xaghra, as I would otherwise hang my head in shame. I'm very surprised that Gozo bishop Mario Grech, usually so quick to speak out on any topic has so far not uttered a word on this saga.
I love Gozo, its peace and quiet in the winter months. However, I intend giving Xaghra a miss for the forseeable future, simply to avoid bumping into the archpriest and giving him a piece of my mind.
joseph mifsud
Sep 8th 2010, 10:35
jienl opinjoni tieghi hi li missu dahal l-isqof ta ghawdex u bi rispett kollu kien iwaqqaf il festi ta barra.tohrog bis il purcissjoni u tiehu forma ta pellegrinag.
S Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 10:34
Fejn huma l-isqfijiet u il Pro Vigarju??? Silenzju perfett ghax din tragedja u hemm festa trid issir.
Philip B Cortis
Sep 8th 2010, 10:33
This is a tragedy. This is also a wake up call. accidents are caused. Accidents don't just happen.
I'm no expert but I do have some questions that I feel that these have to be raised.
Why children as young as 10 are allowed to go to fireworks factories. If you that is reading this and you go to fireworks factories and take your kids with you - please learn from the experience of others. It's a matter of when not if. You are killing your children.
We should not use mobile phones in petrol stations. Is it the same in fireworks factories?
A strong note for all, if you play with fire you will get burnt. It's a question of WHEN not IF.
I'm really sorry to say that in Malta, safety is just below zero. In our minds, there is no space for the word responsibility.
I'm truly sad for Maria. I'm sure that Maria wants to say to all mothers not to let there kids to go to fireworks factories. I'm sure she will cut both her hands to get her family back. Don't be the next Maria.
Peter Korsten
Sep 8th 2010, 11:51
Mobile phones can't ignite fuel vapour, not even in a closed box saturated with vapour. But mobile phones distract, which is not a good idea when handling highly flammable fuel. That's why they don't want you to use a mobile.
But the same argument goes for fireworks, obviously.
T Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 13:34
Peter Korsten mobile phones can be the "cause" of ignition because you may have have two metals not making good contact and a spark develops between them igniting the vapour. This is apart from other considerations such as the vibrating motor sparking. These and many more reasons are the rules that mobiles should be switched off when at a fuel station or in other hazardous areas. Equipment used in these areas is specifically developed and certified.
James Scerri
Sep 8th 2010, 10:28
Very sorry for the loss of the victims of this sad tragedy. God will truly keep a place for them in Heaven!
May I draw your attention that the victims here are 7 (the unborn baby still counts as a life!).
I'm still utterly disappointed that the Victory feast in Xaghra is going through like nothing happened. Respect seems to be a very rare thing, there!
Take example from Mosta ...they did cancel all festivities...and instead of a pompous procession, a very nice and united parish participated in the Holy Rosary with the statue of the Assunta!!
M. Attard
Sep 8th 2010, 12:39
"Mrs Farrugia denied reports that Antoinette was pregnant."
Josef Bonello
Sep 8th 2010, 10:25
This is ever so sad, such a tragic story of a family devastated by one incident....now none of the victims are my acquaintances, none of the come from Sliema (my home town) or Gharghur ( where i live)! They are total strangers to me yet today I am still full of an eerie sense of loss...and what baffles me is that a neighbouring parish still can justify festive celebrations all in the name of Our Lady of Victories! 'Solidarity' is nothing short of insulting lip service...those who should set an example of nurturing compassion and empathy have failed miserably!
M. DeBono
Sep 8th 2010, 10:13
...u dawk jaqbzu fil-marc tal-bambina...
...l-aqwa li ghandna l-knisja tghallimna l-valuri tal-hajja...ezemplari
S Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 10:10
Sur arcipriet u kumitat tal festi tax-xaghra, thabret il mewt tas-sitt vittma...Ghandkom il wicc u il qalb tibqu sejrin bil festi? ISTHU ISTHU ISTHU.
Geoffrey Mifsud Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 10:04
and the fiesta goes on! prosit hey sur Kappillan..well done for the true Christian spirit.
6 persons die and the excuse you come up with is to say that they are not from the same parish.
What a shame that we let our passions dictate our brains.
anthony bugeja
Sep 8th 2010, 10:00
u ix-xaghra jiccelebraw :(