Xaghra raises €13,000 'for victims and those who suffered damages'
Band marches cancelled
Updated:
Residents of Xaghra have raised €13,000 for the families of the victims of the fireworks tragedy at Gharb as well as others who suffered damages.
The money was raised in street collections during activities related to the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, being celebrated today.
The village drew criticism when it decided to go ahead with the feast, even though most of the fireworks which blew up were being produced for the feast. The feast authorities argued that the victims were not from Xaghra.
However, outdoor celebrations on Sunday, when the tragedy took place, were cancelled.
The planned band marches in the streets of Xaghra were not held this morning. Instead, the Beland Band of Zejtun played in front of the Victory Club.
The announcement of the funds raised so far was made during solemn Mass at the Xaghra parish church this morning. The initiative was praised by Gozo Bishop Mgr Mario Grech, who did not refer to the controversy over whether the feast should have been cancelled.
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...
91 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
ERIKA SPITERI
Sep 9th 2010, 22:50
It's easy to collect money. It's the easiest thing to give, but to take a bold decision not to carry on with the festivities would have been the honourable thing to do.
joe garcia
Sep 9th 2010, 13:02
wara ferha li l Isla irbahna ir regatta rajt lahbarjiet tas sitta waqajt fniket kbir kif quddimi rajt ir ritratt tieghek pawlu,ma ridx nemmen RIP PAWL niftakar kemm hdiemna flimkien ghawdex u meta gejt it tieg tieghek .kien bniedem ferihi energetiku u sahha ekk nibqa niftakrek pawl .
A Mangion
Sep 9th 2010, 12:59
Ma nafx ghalfejn min qieghed jghid li n-nar huwa fid-demm tal-poplu Malti! Ma nahsibx li kull cittadin Malti ghandu n-nar ibaqbaq ghall-loghob tan-nar. Jien in-nar napprezzah pero` minix iffissat fuqu u m'inhiex lest li nirriskja hajti biex nahdem in-nar - xorta parti mill-poplu Malti u nahseb li hawn hafna nies jahsbuha bhali.
Nahseb f'dan il-mument l-ahjar haga li naghmlu huwa li nghadru lin-nies li garbu din it-telfa. Tithassar lil dawk li mietu, pero` tithassar ukoll lil dawk li baqghu f'din id-dinja b'qrabathom mejtin. Dan huwa 'hobby' perikoluz. Mhux hobby li ggemma l-postcards jew tkabbar il-pjanti, imma hija attivita` li l-hin kollu qed tipperikola hajtek. Ma nistghax nifhem kif minkejja dawn l-incidenti u l-imwiet kollha, xorta nibqghu naghmlu dawn l-affarijiet. Pero` din hija opinjoni tieghi u ma nista` ninponi xejn fuq hadd. Nghid ghalija, jekk ikolli l-partner tieghi jahdem in-nar nghidlu jew in-nar jew jien - imbghad jaghzel hu.
Kondoljanzi lil dawk kollha li tilfu lil gheziez taghhom fin-nar. Lil dawk li ghandhom in-nar ibaqbaq f'demmhom u jekk twaqfilom in-nar imutu - oqghodu attenti u ftakru f'dawk li thallu warajkom!
J.Bonnici
Sep 9th 2010, 11:58
Il-grajjiet ta' dawn l-ahhar jiem hargu fil-berah il-problemi kbar li ghandhom l-awtoritajiet tal-Knisja sabiex jifhmu l-hsibijiet tal-poplu u l-principju fundamentali tal-kompassjoni li wera Kristu ma’ min kien qieghed ibati.
Fil-mumenti l-aktar koroh ta’ din it-tragedja l-awtoritajiet naqsu milli jiehu r-riedni f’idejhom kif kien mistenni minnhom. Naqsu li jiedhu l-inizjattiva sabiex jithassru l-festi esterni kollha u hallew ftit qassisin u parruccani immaturi jiehdu decizjonijiet hziena f’isimhom b’konsegwenzi dizastruzi ghall-Knisja in generali .
Il-Knisja ma fehmitx ir-rabja dejjem tikber tal-poplu, li lahqet il-qofol taghha fil-gurnata tal-festa. Ftit sighat qabel bdew idoqqu l-qniepen u l-marcij brijjuzi, kellu jmut l-ahhar vittma ta’ din it-tragedja. Il-Knisja kellha cans bizzejjed biex tirreagixxi kieku riedet u anke jekk tard, setghet gabret gieha fl-ahhar mumenti.
Fl-intervent li ghamel l-isqof t’Ghawdex deher konfuz u mifxul u kompla gharraq is-sitwazzjoni meta beda jitkellem dwar il-flus li ngabru. Kellu bilfors isemmi l-flus? Il-flus kienu sekondarji f’dan kollu. Bil-kummenti tieghu kompla gharraq is-sitwazzjoni.
Il-Knisja tidher li ma kinetx sensittiva lanqas ghar-reazzjoni tremenda fil-media elettronika l-aktar dik espressa b’mijiet ta’ kummenti fil-kolonni ta’ din il-gazzetta.
Hija hasra li l-Knisja kellha timbarazza ruhha b’dan il-mod meta hafna mill-membri taghha jahdmu bla nifs u jaghtu hajjithom biex jghinu lil haddiehor.
joe borg
Sep 9th 2010, 11:48
13000 wow how generous, so is this going to bring back the dead?
J. Galea
Sep 9th 2010, 19:55
Mr. Borg I am very astonished while reading such phrases like the one you wrote, Please don`t ever mange to write such stupid things. I am sure that with those €13,000 are really for the victims involved .
Chris Camilleri
Sep 9th 2010, 23:50
It was an accident may they rest in peace and the most you can do is pray for them!! Funds raised could always help a bit their families. Don't Judge cause you will be judged...
D.MANGION
Sep 9th 2010, 10:41
I have been trying hard not to intervene on this controversy in the fear of hurting somebody with my bla bla.
But.....for me this looks like a tragedy on the place of work. Not much different from the Um El Faroud tragedy of 1995.
All of the victims (bar 1) are professional fireworks manufacturers who earned their bread and butter via the manufacture of fireworks. Their work has a high risk factor and this is known from day 1 of their working life.
Loss of lives shakes everybody, but in such cases, tangible solidarity (such as financial assistance) is better than the usual talk talk.
If Xaghra had to cancel it's feast, than so had to do the Senglean's, the Naxxarin and the Mellihin. This should have been declared a national tragedy, and not just related to Xaghra. Maybe we are trying to find a culprit at all costs, but this witch hunt is simply patethic.
Previous major, work related tragedies ( like the one's of Um-El Faroud and Simshar) have shown us that the real tragedy, begins a day after the burial of the victims. And things are usually aggravated by lack of finances and the innumerable false rumours.
J. Attard
Sep 9th 2010, 07:48
dawn il-flus vera ghal vittmi jew ghal min tilef it-trakkijiet li kienu bin-nar?????????????
N. Attard
Sep 8th 2010, 22:49
The Xaghra feast is over now may we all rest in peace...
God bless you all
A Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 19:03
I'm sick of reading comments which point fingers at 'Xaghra residents' about the decision which was taken, as if all Xaghra residents had a say in such decision. Keep in mind that it is was the organisers who took this decision. I'm sure that most residents, including myself, didnt agree with this decision in the first place. So please, stop blaming the residents, and mark your words before writing such comments!!
Xuereb T
Sep 8th 2010, 18:28
Proset ghal flus li ngabru biex itaffu ftit mid-dieqa tal-familji involuti u jghinhuhom daqsxejn, imma l-mistoqsija tigi wahedha...IR-RISPETT JINXTARA BIL-FLUS?Kien imisshom hassru l-festi esterni kollha, fuq kollox in-nar ghalihom kien u dawk li mietu, ghalija mietu ghal festa tax-Xaghra-festa ta' haddiehor, l-anqas hi taghhom!!Mietu biex jaghtu gost lil rahal iehor.
Jonathan Portelli
Sep 8th 2010, 18:26
First of all i would like to convey my deepest sympathies to those affected by this tragic event.
Its funny to note how the media overlooked the fact that the festivities in Xaghra did not go on as planned and the majority of the outside activites have actually been cancelled, contrary to what many people think. Even 'The Times' failed to update their most commented story 'Updated-Xaghra feast to go on as planned', so before commenting and criticising, please reflect just how much you are being influenced by what the media wants to portray.
I believe that the Xaghra community have shown considerable respect and solidarity, not only by raising this money but also by continously participating in the prayers being offered to the victims and their families. Hopefully this good gesture will also be taken on board by others, especially those who have chosen to point their finger while sitting comfortably in front of their computer!
So before criticising the Xaghra community, reflect and hopefully you'll do your part in respecting those who have passed by offering your help, be it in prayer or even more by donating!
M.Caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 20:57
Oh......respect? If I'm correct I had someone ay on the media that the feast is to go on because the victims are not from Xaghra and alll Xaghra was involved in is in commissioning them to do pyrotechnics for the feast. If that is respect I'm afaid to say that no reasonable mortal should condone it. I'm sure that the an overwhelming najority of he people of Xaghra didnot agree either but on the other hand if I was a Xaghra resient I won't be a happy fella with the Chaplain. Moreover if I was a Gozitan I won't stay back by wishing the archbishop to resign from his post either. His silence was compliance and an utter disgust to the Catholic Church ad the way we Maltese and Gozitans traditionally show respect in momens of tragedy.
Claire Busuttil
Sep 8th 2010, 17:51
Prosit ta din l inizjativa, specjalment meta hemm tfal zghar involuti f din listorja, li tielfu lil missirhom f eta ckejkna, tal anqas jista ikollhom naqra support finanzjarju, zghir.
nahseb hafna min nies, li ghajjru lil Xghara, habba li ma hassrux, il festa, ghandhom jaghmlu appologija, ghax wara kollox, sar gest tajjeb, u konkret.
M Caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 18:04
Imma vera waqajna daqshekk fil baxx? Nduru mal lewza fejn jidhlu principji Kristiani bil flus? Mela jekk tkun sinjur tixtri l-genna? Biex nkunu nistghu naghmlu l-festa u hadd ma jghid bina nixbru erba soldi u ntuhom lil tfal iltiema? Dak ir rispett li gej mix Xaghra u min Ghawdex? Kont inhares lejn L-ghawdxin bhala niex li jaghtuna ezempju imma dan tliftu! Jaghmlu l-festa wara tragedja f'pajjiz ta popolazzjoni daqs tas Sliema? Li ngabru l-flus iktar tidher kerha. Il-flus misshomi ngabru wara li nuru sobgha bl-imgieba taghna u maghmlu sagrificcju u ma niccelebrawx meta hutna qieghdin f'niket enormi. Ma nipprovawx inhawwdu l-imhuh billi nixbru xi 10 Euros minn dawk li iccelebraw il festa fix Xaghar u nghidu li jisghobina ghal din it telfa. Dik mossa tal Farizej li Kristu ghajjarhom Oqbra Mbajda!
Toni Saliba
Sep 9th 2010, 11:40
Fil festi interni dejjem tlabna ghalihom; bir rispett - dak inhar hassarna l aqwa marc, il bierah hassarna iehor u rispett xorta ghandna nuruh ghalihom. Ma tantx kien ghad baqa x'niccelebraw. Ghamilna purcisjoni ta talb ghalihom u gbarna il flus. Din ix xeba propoganda li ahna bla qalb u bla rispett mhux veru. Ahna xorta inhossu ghal dawn il vitmi u mhux billi jigu jghidu il ahna bla qalb - ahna ma konniex qed noqomsu u niehdu gost b dak il gara. Hadd ma jiehu gost bil mewt.
Il kwistjoni hi l istess bhal meta splodiet il kamra tan nar tal Mosta - suppost kellhom jithassru xi uhud ta festi ukoll, ghax in nar li kellhom kollhu min tal Mosta xtrawh. Ahna f dawl daqsxejn differenti imma finalment istess haga ghandna. Il Festa tal mosta thasret ghax miet bniedem ta qalb tajba Mosti. U dik kulhadd jifhima. Imma tal irhula l ohra x gara minnhom! Hasruwa taghhom. Din id drama li qettew fuq il media dan l ahhar halliet lil Malta shiha tghid kemm ahna krudili ix xaghrin, fejn mhux veru. Ix xaghra dejjem uriet rispett lejhom u celebrazjonijet ma ghandhomx ma isirux la darba xorta wahda qed nuruhom rispett.
l borg
Sep 8th 2010, 17:47
GOZO HAS A SMALL POPULATION AND EVEN IF THE 6 VICTIMS DID NOT DIE IN A FIREWORKS FACTORY IT WILL STILL BE A NATIONAL TRAGEDY FOR GOZO AND EVEN MALTA
SO PERSONNALY THE FEAST OF XAGHAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN MY HOMETOWN MOSTA
L. Said
Sep 8th 2010, 17:42
Nixtieq nghid prosit lin-nies tax-Xaghra u lil arcipriet taghhom, kemm tal-gabra li ghamlu, kif ukol tal-mod edukat ta kif qed jsiru il festi esterni.
K. Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 17:17
Can you all kindly stop these stupid discussions.
This is all the MEDIA's fault!
Do they normali post the amount of money your parish rasied? oh come on..get a life!
Well done xaghra! No one else took the initiative to raise money afterall did they?
martin chetcuti
Sep 8th 2010, 17:47
@K.Borg
Why is it the Media Fault??? The fault was that of Xaghra's comittee which went against Human respect. Please don't try like others and try to convince us that by collecting some thousand euros you are showing respect.
Chris Grillo
Sep 9th 2010, 07:13
It's far from a stupid discussion! 13,000Euros is just 18.5% of the sum spent on the stupid squibs....
I'm pretty darn sure the money won't get too far....and that is without going into discussions about whether fireworks should be allowed, or why the festa went ahead.. you know, probably unimportant stuff for you '
J.Muscat
Sep 8th 2010, 17:07
@R.Borg
'Mahhfra minn kullhadd''??! Dan x'paroli bla sens hu?
In-Nies tax-Xaghra ma ghamlu xejn hazin.
Fuq kollox HUMA kienu minn ta l-ewwel fuq il post biex JGHINU u jfitxxu il-vitmi!
Li kiku wasslu qwarta qabel kienu jmutu xi ghoxrin ruh ohra mix-Xaghra.
Allura jekk jghobokom ahjar tghidu talba flok tparlaw fejn ma tafux il-fatti kollha.
M.vella
Sep 8th 2010, 17:38
Proset u naqbel mijek perfettament... U ohra dan min jidhol em gew ikun jaf al xix dihel u x periklu emm.. allura aliex min ma jhobbx in nar gox xara andu ma jgawdix il festi esterni??
and Mr.Adrian Mifsud int x espert int biex taqbad u tikkonkludi li in nar tax xaghra ikkawza l ispluzjoni?? ax smajt lil dak (l ispettur ) jajd fuq in news jew?? nies li kienu go farmhouses fil qrib stqarrew li l ewwel ha murtal tal bomba normali imbat taret il kamra u probabilment li wara it trakkijiet.. Allura intom ed tkomplu tafgu u tibelew li jajdu tal media u ed jidru koroh in nies tax xaghra and its not fair.. Izda kif jajdu iz zejt dejjem jitla f wicc l ilma u anke dak l ispettur li qal li l ewwel li hadu it trakkijiet ha jirtira l kliem li qal fil granet li gejin tibzawx.. u l verita waheda tigi.. Ima in nies ma tistax issejhilom nies ax fuq kollox ir rispettl ewwel andek iggibu lil haj u mhux lil mejjet.. (u dik kif nifhima jien issa min jifhima kontra opinjoni tieghu)
Adrian Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 17:04
@ Mr Joe Grech
I am sorry if I stepped on your toes. It seems you got hurt. As we Maltese say truth Hurts.
It is persons like you who do a disservice to your beautiful island. What encourages me is that you only represent a small minority of people. The majority of Gozitan people are actually nice.
adrian mifsud
Sep 8th 2010, 16:48
It is an awful shame that the feast was celebrated despite one of the biggest tragedy ever happened in Gozo. The reason you hear from the xaghra people is that 'IT'S NOT OUR FAULT AND AFTERALL THEY WEREN'T FROM OUR VILLAGE'. Can you believe that??? Ok they weren't from Xaghra but they were all gozitans and while all of Gozo was mourning the dead, the happy people of Xaghra were celebrating their feast with the disco in the football club, band marches, beer so on so forth. I, as a gozitan have been feeling pretty sad since the tragedy happened, i can't imagine how someone could feel the necessity to celebrate a feast that after all it's fireworks killed 6 people!!!!
MG Buttigieg
Sep 8th 2010, 16:43
Mr. Franco Scicluna could not have described the situation better. As he said a highly unusual and nerve wrecking situation developed in a split of a second. Decisions needed to be taken. It might be conceded that certain decisions were not the result of an objective reflection. But one needs to highlight the fact that the media and certain people’s ineptness to communicate in front of cameras contributed substantially to this great outpour of negativity.
If you go up to Xaghra you will learn that all the people are stunned and bereft of words. They are still coming to terms with the tragedy, as for that matter all the rest of the people of Gozo. Are we so hard hearted as not to allow them space to amend to any misguided or rash decisions that had been taken? The marches have been postponed and this evening's procession is planned to be a moment of prayer and recollection. If the readers are not capable of deciphering such positive signs and developments than it can safely be concluded that the negative comments are not intended to contribute to a constructive discussion but only to wound, destroy and divide.
l Caruan
Sep 8th 2010, 17:08
Nice word you just said mr. buttigieg. it's all the truth. in xaghra everyone is talking about it and are really showing solidarity and have been masses and loads of prayers for the victims. but how can anyone who didnt go to xaghra judge and comment
Manuel Mangani
Sep 8th 2010, 19:03
Mr Buttigieg: Yours is a reasonable and insightful contribution. Certainly one appreciates that decisions necessarily taken at short notice could not have been based on sufficient reflection. Certain comments, especially those maintaining that since the victims were not from Xaghra and that they were paid for taking the risks they did, seemed highly insensitive to most people - hence the reaction of many online commentators.
What truly matters now is how to help the victims' families, hopefully taking into account their feelings and desires. Moreover, festa -lovers should collaborate in any exercise designed to prevent repeats, even if it means sacrificing the inordinate pleasure they seem to derive from bangs and fire-works.
A.Busuttil
Sep 8th 2010, 16:35
Donnu bil flus nirrangaw kollox.
Dik l-omm imbikkija u mifnija kull ma riedet rispett min ghand min zewga ghamilhom pjacir u mhux flus. Possibli l-kapillan ma kellux il hila isib soluzzjoni aktar rispettabli milli nigbru l-flus. L-aqwa li nhar is sibt nghamlu show mall President, Il Prim u l-kbarat kollha, xi 5 isqfijiet u mijiet ta qassisin. Dak l-aqwa.L-anqas tafu x'inhu rispett.l-aqwa li gbarna.
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 17:09
hadd m'ghamel pjacir lil hadd. Jekk inti negozjant hemm patt kummercjali u mhux pjaciri.
R.Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 15:49
Kontu tohorgu ta' irgiel u ta' insara aktar maturi kieku hassartu l-Festa Esterna u ghamiltu l-offerta li qed issir.
Kontu tigu mfahhra minn kulhadd u kontu tibqghu tissemmew.
Nittama li bosta membri tal-komunita' parrokkjali tax-Xaghra jkunu prezenti ghall-funerali tal-vittmi.
L Caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 17:01
Tista tati risposta alfejn ma kelliex issir il festa?il festa esterna ma kinetx ta pika izda il festa esterna tax-xaghra tfisser kumplament tat talba li issir lil maria bambina. nahseb ahjar kieku jigu ikontrollati piki u glied fuq baned u aktar ui aktar fuq il qaddisin. Dawn il-vittmi kienu ed jahdmu biex ikun em gost akbar fil festa u ma nahsibx li kiku adilom min mohhom li ha imutu xtaqu lil tithassar il festa. din il-kummidja gabita kollha il media li andna aw malta qarrieqa u ta hdura. l'internation journalism award haqqom e ax jaraw kif jaslu bix aktar ikissru lil familji. Laqas kin em qbil min sija al ohra xkien et jigri tal biza e aw malta. ax jek imut xi hadd al certu nies messa tieqaf id-dinja. dawn li et iparlaw fil vojt li me kelliex issir ax ma tawx donazzjoni huma ukoll. li kiku ma saritx il festa esterna kif kinu ha jingabru il flus??? tmur thabbat bieb bieb u jejdulek jin tajt al festa u hassartu kollox u issa gejjin tergew titatlbu??? prosit kem aw insara li hlief ikissru li min hu imkisser diga mux kapaci jamlu.
martin chetcuti
Sep 8th 2010, 17:29
:@L.Caruana
Ir-risposta ghaliex ma kelliex issir il-festa hija facli u donkom ma tafux li tezisti il-kelma RISPETT. Rispett li wara Tragedja ma jintweriex b'Festa. Festa=Celebrazzjoni
L.Caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 17:45
andek zball il-festa esterna specjalment tax-xaghra u edt nitkellem jien li miniex mix xaghra hija il-kumplament tat talba u tifhir lil marija bambina
leo attard
Sep 8th 2010, 15:42
@pierre mifsud------ correction, mr mifsud. fireworks isn't in the maltese blood but it has spilled the blood of a maltese family, a family almost all gozitans knew! another thing, do you know that often huge donations are given to the church for feasts or projects by people who get their money by unscrupulous methods and then they try to attone for their sins by ''bribing'' God and the saints ---- i'm speaking in general. of course! but, remember, another young gozitan girl has been turned into a widow...may god grant them all comfort!!
A. Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 15:42
Jekk ridu juru rispett misshom waqfu l-festa. F'Malta hekk isir. Ir-rispett ma jinxtarax bil-flus.
D. Sultana
Sep 8th 2010, 16:31
Mena ghax f'Malta hekk isir naghmlu bhalhom ahna wkoll. Jekk il-Maltin imorru jaqbzu minn Dingli Cliffs, ahna mmorru naqbzu minn Ta' Cenc. Ghax f'Malta hekk isir.
Marija Agius
Sep 8th 2010, 16:50
Mela jekk f'MALTA hekk jsir.. kif il-Festi tal- Mellieha, Naxxar u Sengla ghaddejin Normali?? Mhux tragedja NAZZJONALI din??.... tparlax fil-VOJT jekk ma taf il-fatti kollha!
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 17:11
Mhux veru li f'Malta hekk isir. Meta taret il-kamra tan-nar tal-Mosta fl-Assunta HADD l-ebda rahal mis-sebgha santa marijiet ma waqqaf il-festa anzi komplew bil-marc ta' filghodu qishu qatt ma gara xejn. Din hi l-verita mhux il-gideb li qed jinkiteb.
martin chetcuti
Sep 8th 2010, 17:12
@D.Sultana
Jigifieri int qieghed taqbel li rispett l-Ewwel igibu bil flus aktar milli b'Solidarjeta???
N Attard
Sep 8th 2010, 15:26
Just quit it all of you and say a prayer instead...
I really can't understand why the Times of Malta is making such a big deal....
There is so much to report about and so many stories to put online...
But they found the one thing that interests us lot, that is to criticize one another...
Well done they should give them an award for good journalism, I bet they had a lot of hits in the past few days...
Let everyone rest in peace and pray for the people that are still alive cos. they need prayers a lot of prayers.....
pierre mifsud
Sep 8th 2010, 14:51
mr. frans gauci jiddispjacini ta imma ha nwiegbek ... ha tindahal lil xi hadd kemm jonfoq flus ghan nar????????????? int x tindahal???????? dawk min ghand in nies ingabru siehbi issa ir risposta huda wahdek ... kemm ihobbuh in nar in nies ux habib ...... mela ghalqu halkom ghax in nar go DEMM IL POPLU MALTI qieghed issa jekk trid itlaq min pajjizna ghax dardartuna 90,000 euros din is sena ta is sena d diehla jafu jigu 100,000 euros tbaqbaq siehbi
Darren J. Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 15:39
Do you think that at a time like this the families of those killed need to hear this kind of threatening tone? Either show some respect or keep your comments to yourself please.
Emmanuel Ebejer
Sep 8th 2010, 15:57
Excuse me Pierre, just out of curiosity... Are you by any chance the same Pierre Mifsud who had a lucky escape this year when the Zejtun fireworks factory was destroyed?
Franco Mercieca
Sep 8th 2010, 14:44
Respect you will only find in dictionary. The only way we will be shown respect is for the authorities to to carry out a proper independent investigation on all these tragedies and implement some regulations that are enforced and not only on a paper. If a moratorium on fireworks is required then go for it.
Unfortunately these tragedies are a result of our lax attitude and that anything goes. We need more discipline in our society. Values? Accountability? ....just found in dictionary. Malta wake up
leo attard
Sep 8th 2010, 14:40
...I disagree with the external festivities but I think it is up to the individual to decide whether he wants to go or not. sympathy cannot be forced upon anyone. If many want to go to the feast to party then let them --- it will be a shame on us but then, that is how it is! If many don't go then the message of compassion will have been sent.... all i know is that this is the time when the surving family needs support! They need counselling! I heard the mother was taken to hospital (Maybe true, maybe not) But one can barely imagine the trauma they are going through. I don't know the family; never spoke to them...but i can only imagine their pain! and if my imagined pain weighs me down, imagine their real pain! shakespeare said: EVERYONE CAN PHILOSOPHIZE THE TOOTHACHE EXCEPT HE THAT HAS IT!........so let everybody follow their own conscience but make sure you don't hide it with like, for ex, raising funds for the family! A materialist mentality! at times like this a hug, someone to talk to, to show you care is worth more than money.
S Dimech
Sep 8th 2010, 14:40
Proset tassew lix-Xaghrin. Din veru haga tajba, ferm ahjar milli hassru l-festa!
C. Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 14:29
Mistoqsija ghall dawk li marru jiccelebraw, u dawk li qalu...*kollox jibqa ghaddej ghax dawn mhux mix-Xaghra, u il-kamra li taret mhux fix-Xaghra..*.....
Issa ha tmorru bi *hgarkhom* ghall-funeral? X'ipokrizija!!
Dawk mix-Xaghra li ddecidew li jibqghu id-dar u ma jiccelbrawx: Innehhilkhom il-kappel talli urejtu Qalb veru Kristjana. Il-gbir tal-flus gest posittiv....imma ghalijja ma ma kienx il-veru turija ta rispett, ghax xorta ngabar waqt ic-celebrazzjonijiet.
Mario Gatt
Sep 8th 2010, 14:29
Ingabret somma sabiha...izda zgur din mhux ser iggib lura l-vittmi...lanqas mhi ser tigbor gieh ix-Xaghra wara l-farsa li ghamlu...il-festa ma kellha qatt issir!!!
u dawn il-flus...zgur li ghall-vittmi ngabru?? jew ghat-trakkijiet??
A. Schembri
Sep 8th 2010, 14:27
Well and good for any funds raised. They can at least go against the funeral costs. Maybe a funbd is well worth setting up to help ease the financial burden what is left of this family is going to face to live and bring up the yourng children.
However, let us all stop commenting and the least we could do is long term prayers which we really mean from our hearts so that the family may pick themselves up and find comfort in each other so that they can find the courage and strenght to fight back this the greatest pain of all.
Franco Scicluna
Sep 8th 2010, 14:23
Please lets now STOP this hate campaign. It was a very sudden and tragic situation with few if any knew how to handle it. The on going negative comments will not bring about solutions, nor will it help to amend matters. There may have been some genuine mistakes in giveing statements but all in all the people of Xaghra are feeling what you and me are feeling now for theFarrugia family.The best that one can do, is giveing help, and remember them in our prayers. The holding of a solomn high mass for the repose of their souls would do wonders.
S Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 14:18
L-ewwel hsiltuhom issa se tixxuttawhom.....Tahsbu li se tfejqula il ferita li ghamiltula lill dil l-armla u il familjari li baqala?. Ma kontux kontu thobbuha lill Maria Santissma kieku hrigtuha pellegrinagg bla pompa u ftahir.. tahsbu li ma kienitx tkun iktar kintenta. Maria Santissma bhalissa qeda tibki ghall l-ipokrizija li qed tara
M. Fenech
Sep 8th 2010, 14:16
Bhas-soltu, nippruvaw insolvu kollox bil-flus. Izda r-rispett m'ghandux prezz, u dak li jkun jixtieq min jghaddi minn tracedji bhal dawn, RISPETT! F'mument ta' niket bhal dan, min ikun mughugh rispett jixraqlu u wara tigi l-ghajnuna finanzarja. Nahseb qed jindunaw in-nies tax-Xaghra, li ma kienetx decizjoni ghaqlija li l-festa ssir xorta.
A.M.Zerafa
Sep 8th 2010, 14:12
tajba din, ha ninhbew li gbarna l flus ghall qraba tal vittmi. Ghidu il Verita! Gbartu il flus ghat trakkijiet! ma kellux flus min xtara bi 80,000 euro nar, biex jixtri trakkijiet godda. ejja ghidu il verita. Ghawdex kulhadd jafa il verita! CERTU nies mix xaghra li ghandhom il poter jiddeciedu huma nies egoisti u bla rispett!
Emmanuel Ebejer
Sep 8th 2010, 14:10
Money!! IMoney!! Money!! Is that all 6 lives are worth??...and btw, that sum might just cover the expenses of the funerals!!!
Frans Gauci
Sep 8th 2010, 14:07
They raised a mere 13,000 euros compared to the 90,000 euros they spent on fireworks this years and the previous years.
C. Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 14:20
The 13,000 was collected on the day during a street collection so it cannot be compared to the amount spent of fireworks.
By the way ..... how much did YOU donate?
A.M.Zerafa
Sep 8th 2010, 16:02
money was being collected to raise funds to buy new trucks. and everyone in xaghra knew where the money was going. its an excuse and a cover up to say money are going to the relatives of the victims. they are saying that the money are going to relatives cause they realised the shame in collecting money for the trucks
Kenneth Debono
Sep 8th 2010, 14:02
Prosit tal-inizjattiva!
Jien ta' kull sena nzur ir-rahal tax-Xaghra fi zmien il-festa u niehu pjacir nara l-Knisja mballata bin-nies u l-fidi li ghandu dan il-poplu huwa ta' ezempju ghall-parrocci Maltin u Ghawdxin. Nhar il-Hadd kont presenti ghal celebrazzjoni Marjana fit-8.30 pm u bqajt impressjonat b'dan!
U fil-festi ta' barra l-istess haga. Niehu pjacir nattendi ghall-marci taghhom ghax jaghmlu briju sabih u onest. Tara hafna zghazagh bil-flokkijiet tal-festa jiccelebraw kif jixraq b'marci li huma nieqsa mill-kliem hazin jew kliem ta' Pika. Huma nies li jifirhu fil-festa tal-Patruna li verament iggib GHAQDA u FERH fil-parrocca. Nahseb li l-awtoritajiet tal-Knisja ghandhom juzaw din il-festa bhala ezempju ghall-bqija tal-festi f'Malta Ghawdex. Hija verament festa Nisranija Kbira u Kompluta.
Kenneth Debono Fgura
Joseph Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 15:24
"fil-festa tal-Patruna li verament iggib GHAQDA u FERH".
Pero haga ta l'iskantament din il-patruna mhux kapaci tiskansa imwiet ta nies li jahdmu ghal festa taghha u fl-istess hin kapaci iggib ghaqda w ferh
Jew ghax forsi inzertaw mhux mill-istess rahal?
Stramba hux!!
L Caruana
Sep 8th 2010, 16:48
Sur J. Galea ma tisthix bil kliem li adek kif ktibt. bi kliemek offendejt lil madonna. wara kollox dawn kienu et jamlu xolom u spiccaw vittmi bhal ma jigri hafna fuq postijit tal kostruzzjoni, imutu in nies waqt li ikunu et jippruvaw jaqilow lira al familja tahom. dawn kinu et jahdmu in nar al bix jaqilow il flus al familja tahom. ma tistennix li kull darba li tmut persunu tieqaf id d-dinja ux. int xi darba kont al festa tax xaghra>??? qatt ma ikun em kliem u tghajjir ta pika bhal ma ikun em f'certu festi ohra. Taru tant kmamar tan nar din l'ahhar sena xorta baqew isiru il festi ima hadd ma gabar flus al familjari tal vittmi biex bhekk ikunu jistew ikomplu jejxu sa xhin jaraw min fejn ha igibu in nuqqas li naqas. nahseb ahjar tara tijek qabel titkellem ek fuq il madonna.
P Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 14:00
Kollox ghandu prezz!! Ir-rispett u s-soliderjata daqshekk u hekk jiswew. Nistghu nkomplu niffestegjaw issa??!!
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiates 3:1-8
And this is definitley not a time to celebrate, especially for the island of Gozo.
leo attard
Sep 8th 2010, 13:56
for how many was this a way of clearing the conscience. i'm sure there were those who gave from the heart but one can ask the family of the victims: what would you prefer, 13,000 euros or a show of solidarity by dropping the external festivities. if mr farrugia wants to go and party that is his business, but for some the money can be seen as an insult ------ here is 13,000 euross, sorry for your loss and now i have got to go because i don't want to miss the band and the beers!!
C Deguara
Sep 8th 2010, 13:55
Can those who criticized the Gozitans (expecially the Xaghra Residents ) now do like they did in Xaghra and fork out some money for the fund......timesofmalta.com since the banners on the website were seen a lot of times with your story can you please fork out a few euros to help the victims?
Adrian Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 14:50
I am going to comment since you thought it proper to put us all Maltese in one basket.
The Maltese duly sponsor Gozo with their taxes.
I will elaborate.
We have built the Gozo ferries so that Gozitans have first preference for employment on the said ships. Also we are made to pay more to go on them.
Your rubbish is taken away and dumped on our door step.
We breathe the fumes of the power station so that you may have electricity.
Almost all government entities in Gozo in over staffed.
If we decide to come for a holiday your wardens target us for fines.
We get over charged almost for any thing we buy.
I hope this is an eye opener for you and all like you.
M Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 15:28
Adrian Borg why all this hatred against Gozitans? As if we don't pay taxes just like as you do? Qisek il-vapuri tal-Gozo Channel xtrajthom int minn butek! We used to take care of our rubbish....it was a decision taken by the government NOT by Gozitans (nearly all of the Ministers Maltese) to dump our rubbish in Malta.
Can you please name the overstaffed government entities pls and present statistics?
In every country every citizen must not act in an egoistic manner - it's give and take my friend...
You didn't mention that when someone is seriously injured in Gozo precious time is lost to be taken by helicopter to Mater Dei because of lack of services in Gozo hospital. You have it all on your doorstep. Or do you pay an extra euro in taxes to have that commodity. I'm not pretending to have all hospital infrastructure you have in Malta...but you see how it's a give and take...
Adrian Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 16:18
Dear Mr Vella it is more a matter of we give and you take.
If you think that my comments constitute hatred, I am not amazed.
Take the statics of how much VAT is collected in Gozo.
Check the staffing pro capita at your Hospital for example.
You did not contest that we get over charged almost for any thing we buy or that your wardens target us for fines. I presume that I was correct at least in these instances.
And please remember we pay for the Helicopter.
Emmanuel Ebejer
Sep 8th 2010, 16:23
@C. Deguara
quote 'can you please fork out a few euros to help the victims?'... for crying out loud!!!! All the victims are in need of now...is prayers! May their God be with them!!
A. Grech
Sep 8th 2010, 16:24
@ Adrian Borg. Int tidher wiehed mill-Maltin li Iva thbb lil Ghawdex imma tobghod lill-Ghawdxin. Meta ma jkolokx x'tghamel ejja oqghod u gib il-bizzilla mieghek.
M Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 18:04
@ Adrian Borg
It is useless to contest what you rewrote because hatred is clearly obfuscating your mind. In the meantime you may try to send your propositions to the government to evaluate its policies lol..Good luck...you'll definitely need it! Peace bro!
R Marquette
Sep 8th 2010, 13:51
still shame on you! I seriously don't think that a few thousands of euros (not even millions will do but anyway...) will do any difference to the victims' families! vera jghidu li bil-flus tibni triq fil-bahar, imma il-mejtin ma jigux lura! A bit of respect from the feast committee and the church would have been much better!
joe grech
Sep 8th 2010, 13:44
Qed taraw hux l'ghawdxin x qalb ghandhom!! Dan huma l'Ghawdxin li hafna minkom ghajjartu ilbierah....
Kif kiteb wiehed minkom ilbierah: "l-ghawdxin, l-ewwel jien, it-tieni jien, u t-tielet jien". ISTHU kollha kemm intom li ghajjartu lil ghawdxin in generali.
Mur gibkom tigbru l-flus intom il Maltin li tahsbu li ghawdex hu inferjuri minkom.
martin chetcuti
Sep 8th 2010, 14:08
Sur JOE GRECH F'kazi bhal dawn mhux kemm tigbor flus izda kemm turi rispett. F'Malta meta sar hekk thassru l-festi
R Marquette
Sep 8th 2010, 14:09
"Qed taraw hux l'ghawdxin x qalb għandhom!!"
dan hu eżempju ċar kemm li għal Għawdxin il-flus huma kollox u jigu qabel kulħadd, taħsbu li sa tixtru ir-rispett mill-familjari tal-vittmi bi ftit eluf ta ewro? Minjaf kemm intefqu flus waqt il-marċi f'alkoħol u birra .... il-veru rispiett u qalb tad-deheb ma tixtrijomx bil-flus imma bir-rispett u s-solidarjeta!
Kieku jien flokhom nisthi nohrog mill-bieb il-barra!
Stefan Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 14:24
@ Joe Grech,
Vera kliem TAL MISTHIJA dan li ghadek kif ghidt!! Min jaf kieku allahares qatt kienu xi membri tal-familja tieghek dawn jekk kontx tghid l-istess jigu jtuk 13,000 euro u jkomplu ghaddejjin bil festa qisu xejn mhu xejn wara dak kollu li dawn il povri vittmi ghamlu ghalik l-ewwel wiehed!! FEJN QIEGHED IR RISPETT??? Bil flus mintix ha ggib lura lil dawk is 6 persuni li hallew hajjithom al festa tieghek l-ewwel wiehed!
ISTHI
Stefan
Darren J. Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 13:41
EUR13000 is a pittance and is hardly going to bring back the victims. Instead of trying to show how clever they are Xaghra might have been wiser to show respect and solidatity with the victims' families by cancelling festivities. They could still have raised money without indulging in celebrations whilst the victims' families were in mourning.
J. M. Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 13:51
agree with you 100% ... you can buy fireworks with money but you can not buy respect.
I have a strong feel that they want a round of applause now.
M.Abela
Sep 8th 2010, 13:40
Ir-Rispett ma jinxtarax bil-flus ghalkemm dawn zgur iservu ta ghajnuna ghal familjari tal vittmi!!
O Tabone
Sep 8th 2010, 13:55
proset..very well said!! IR RISPETT MA JINXTARAX BIL-FLUS
L Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 13:36
Since the tragedy, the festa did not go on as usual. The usually band march on the eve took place but notably void of any merry making. On Festa day, the usually grand three hour march by Beland Band at 11.00 am took place from Ta Kola Windmill to the Band Club just 50 metres away with nobody accompanying it. The usual merry makers were there but staying quietly in front of the band club. The last march is cancelled and the festa ends with the entry of the Bambina into the Basilica and Benediction imparted. I now invite all those who contributed with disparaging remarks against Xaghra now to put hands in their pockets and show solidarity with the grieving families by contributing to the fund just like the Xaghra people are tangibly showing their solidarity and generously contributing.
dominic vella
Sep 8th 2010, 13:28
Prosit lil-Kumitat Tal-Festa u l-|Arcipriet tar-rahal li ha din l-inizjattiva. Haga ohra min ma jafx il-marci brijuzi ta dalghodu thassru u minflok sar daqq quddiem il-kazin tal-banda waqt li l-istess kumitat organizzattiv baqa jigbor il-flus ghall-vittmi.
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 13:25
Minflok joqghodu jlabalbu fil-vojt dawn li qed jikkummentaw fin-negattiv kontra l-parrocca tax-Xaghra ahjar jidhlu ftit fihom infushom u jaraw x'ghamlet il-parrocca tax-Xaghra. L-attakki sfrrenati kontra din il-komunita' huma ingustifikati, oxxeni u malizzjuzi, immexxija minn gurnalizu tax-xakallagg. Kemm gabru l-gurnali ghall-vittmi tat-tragedja? Kemm gabru l-ghorrief li ghandna li jhobbu jippontifikaw ghall-vittmi tal-Mosta? XEJN. Dan hu l-ezempju li johrog mill-parrocca tax-Xaghra. Parrocca generuza u hanina ma min ghaddej minn trawma kerha li mhix tort tax-Xaghra. Dan huwa l-altruizmu tal-Arcipriet Dun Karm Refalo li ghandhu ghal qalbu il-gid tal-proxxmu tieghu. Fejn huma l-ipokriti biex izidu mas-somma migbura ghall-vittmi???????????
anthony bugeja
Sep 8th 2010, 13:42
Siehbi xorta tistona li tifrah fil-marc meta mietu 6 persuni. Kien ikun iktar ghaqli li jsiru l-festi ta gewwa u l-purcissjoni issir b mod ta pellegrinagg. Ma kien jigri xejn minghajr zewg marci u hadd ma kien jghid xejn.
Mike Orland
Sep 8th 2010, 13:44
Very well said. A negative comment = 0 Eur to help the survivors. 1 Eur is something with which to restart life.
When disasters hit and people die in ones or in thousands its useless to talk. One should help not talk, because be it MY fault, be it Your fault, be it Everyone's fault, be it an Accident, be it a terrorist attack, be it for fun or be it for murder, for the survivors tommorrow is another day and they need to live it with the help of resources not insults or story tellings or critics. That is food for the disintereted who have a fresh mind to talk about the ifs hows and what ifs. The survivors have no time to talk and comment, they have to pull up their socks and start afresh.
J Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 14:32
I hate to say it at such a time but the families involved knew what the victims were doing. They were not there just for volontary work. They were working in what they knew what was best for them to make a living. So no need for stupid lessons from the types of Mike Orland as for the other one, you dont even know what happens in Xaghra. What the morning march is all about. There are no excessives in this march just marching for the love of it. full stop. and we wont have any lessons from either of you. The generous people of Xaghra can teach a lesson or two to all of us in how to celebrate a catholic feast without triumphalism but at the same time have a good time. ANd I still dont know the reasons why the Parish of Xaghra had to take the full blast of the hatred of some of our people for celebrating a feast which did no harm to anyone.
john borg
Sep 8th 2010, 14:35
well said, im sure it was a difficult decision to take...unfortunately these accidents will stop only when fireworks are stopped.
M Muscat
Sep 8th 2010, 15:40
Residents does not include the parish too!
The residents were infact angry with the committee and the parish for continue with the feast!
So please dont make the parish look nice. It was the residents idea and not the parish!
VV Bartolo
Sep 8th 2010, 13:23
a very big well done to the xaghra residents but shame to all xaghra "festi esterni" committees
"
martin chetcuti
Sep 8th 2010, 13:18
Well done to the residents but SHAME on the committee
edward bartolo
Sep 8th 2010, 13:15
Well done goes to the organisers.