Fireworks inquiry: Detail, not haste, most important - minister
Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said today that no deadline had been set on the work of the board of inquiry on the fireworks factory explosions because the most important thing was that the work was through and established the truth.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici also argued that he is against a moratorium on fireworks production since this could be counter-productive (see video).
The minister explained that if a moratorium was to be imposed on the manufacture of fireworks, the manufacturers would have less time to produce the fireworks needed for the next festa season. This would create unnecessary pressure which could potentially cause accidents.
Former Armed Forces commander, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo in comments to The Times today agreed with the moratorium idea although he insisted there had to be a specific timeframe. “We cannot have an open-ended moratorium. If it comes into force, the board has to have a specific timeframe by when to conclude its investigations.”
Lawyer Stefan Camilleri, who is representing residents whose homes were damaged by a fireworks factory explosion in Għargħur in 2007, believed the moratorium was not the ideal solution. He pressed for a proper authority that would carry out regular checks at fireworks factories and impose hard-hitting sanctions against people found in breach of any regulations.
Dr Camilleri said such authority would also have the duty to protect the lives of innocent people who had to live in the danger of factories close to their homes whether they liked it or not.
“Fireworks are part of our culture, so it is difficult to do away with them. The solution, however, is not a moratorium but seeing all the safety measures are in place and the raw material being used are of optimum quality. We also need to reduce or curb once and for all the competition between different factories,” he said.
Lawyer Georg Sapiano said someone should look into why the last two blasts in Mosta and Għarb happened just a few days from the feast day.
“I support the idea of very strict vigilance. People without the technical knowhow should be prohibited from approaching these factories and from producing fireworks,” he said.
“The only way to take stock of the situation is a moratorium which could also have the unfortunate and undesirable side effect of blocking those with the technical knowhow to produce fireworks. This is the only way forward. Something’s got to give.”
36 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
James A. Tyrrell
Sep 11th 2010, 21:52
@C.Busuttil. "Curiosity to see how others make their fireworks could be instead a possible reason." Do you know this for a fact or are you just trying to speak ill of the dead?
Nice to know that there is no problem with the chemicals. I hope you have passed this onto the Government, as it will save them a fortune having to investigate it. Oh no sorry, they have already decided to send the chemicals off to be checked. So I'm guessing that they have the results already and you were the first to be told. Thanks for passing that on.
C.Busuttil
Sep 11th 2010, 10:22
The minister is 100% right however it seems that some bloggers write without logic.
No moratorium is being taken in consideration because it is very SIMPLE as it has nothing to do with cheap chemicals. Had it been cheap chemicals the reason, these accidents would have occured much before during the mixture (it-tahlita) not when all fireworks had been ready and nearly at the end of the festa season. The mixture is done in the cooler months for obvious reasons. The board of enquires held on the previous accidents has determined that the cause was not due to chemicals. However to eliminate all doubts samples have been sent abroad for tests.
It does not take a genius to figure out what may have happened last Sunday. Instead of blaming chemicals or the trucks, make a logical reasoning since as I have said the chemicals are definitely out. Defective fireworks neither, because with the state of our roads they would have exploded much before not when parked. Curiosity to see how others make their fireworks could be instead a possible reason.
D.Degaetano
Sep 11th 2010, 19:11
And what about the Mosta explosion...no curiosity there as the fireworks had been manufactured at the same factory!! And the other explosions just this year?? You know what I think the problem here is...no one has the guts to do the right thing because everyone is too worried about the votes they'll lose in future elections if they stop the manufacturing of fireworks at least till the cause of these too frequent explosions is found out!!!!
Joseph Gatt
Sep 10th 2010, 12:23
Whenever there is a quality problem in manufacturing we stop the production line, put all stock in quarantine and start an investigation to find the ROOT CAUSE of the problem. There has to be a time frame because time means money, but that does not automatically imply that the investigation is not carried out in depth.
I can't see why this process cannot be similarly performed by the board of inquiry. This is an everyday job for many quality managers and engineers who are specialised in finding what is wrong with a process. The making of fireworks is a manufacturing process like making silicon chips, medicine, toys for kids,car switches, etc.
I expect that the board of inquiry should be mainly composed of technical persons like Chemists, Engineers, Health and Safety specialists etc. and one or two lawyers not the other way round, as happens with most govenrment boards. This inquiry is a job for scientific not legal experts.
Capt. Anthony Chetcuti
Sep 10th 2010, 10:53
Transporting fireworks by sea
In this latest fireworks explosion, it was mentioned that fireworks had been brought over from Malta to Gozo
How is this being done ? Do they hire a vessel purposely for this ? God forbid, if they are using ordinary Gozo Channel ferry crossings to send it over. Its a crime to.
What responsible authority checks that all precautions are being taken according to rules [if any] , before, during and after the operation ?
Hazardous cargoes have to be declared to the ship transporting them, with all their relevant properties, quantities, precautions and remedies. Gozo Channel will do well to afix notices to this effect, to safeguard their interest and that of its commuters. Does insurers cover this risk ?
Board of inquiry, please note
chris conti
Sep 9th 2010, 22:58
May one ask?
1) if the fireworks on the trucks were ready to be let off , wired to be let off with the fireone system. was the wire coiled ,could a current be generated when a mobile phone was used in the vicinity? how sensitive are the igniters ,what current is required to ignite them?
2)from where are the raw chemicals imported, what is their level of purity?
3)when will this country adopt a safety policy regards safety awareness in all aspects of life?
sorry list is endless but can we stop and think Teach prevention and not point and accuse
leo attard
Sep 9th 2010, 21:02
the govt stopped hunting / birdtrapping even though there were huge protests ---- so why should they care if people complain there are no fireworks for a short time when it is being done for their safety. if a plane was showing frequent malfunctions and problems do you let people board the plane in a russian-roulette way or do you stop using the plane, give it a thorough examination until you find the problem AND ONLY THEN put it back in service... these factories are supposed to be run by qualified professionals and still they are blowing up...what are the qualifications of the professionals who are going to carry out the inspection? has anyone checked if anything similar is happening in other countries? is it time we brought in outside experts?
James A. Tyrrell
Sep 9th 2010, 19:42
The only thing, which will result from statements like this from Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, are further deaths. The situation at the moment is that something is wrong within the fireworks industry. No one seems to have any idea what it is that is wrong but all these ministers seem to agree that the best way to deal with it is to carry on as if nothing has happened whilst one of Malta's famous long drawn out enquiries takes place. What will these ministers say if an explosion occurs in a village or God forbid passing a school?
The only sensible thing to do is stop all work in these factories until the root cause of the problem has been identified. So you miss a few bright lights and bangs, big deal!
M Cachia
Sep 9th 2010, 18:49
I must say from the outset that I love watching a good fireworks display. I can appreciate the passion and dedictaion of whoever works in this industry, notwithstanding the fact that they know they are always in great danger. However I must urge the authorities to stop the manufacture of firworks at once until we have a clear investigation as to what is happening. Too many lives have been lost this year and at the rate at which firwoeks factories are exploding, we are not going to have any left standing after all. Bring in foreign experts, and together with local experts, inspect all factoires inspect all materials, run simulation excercises so that we can all understand exactly what is happening. Then set in place a certification procedure for buildings and personnel and start again. Too much pain is being caused by these terrible loss of lives. Let us not lose any more.
David Dandria
Sep 9th 2010, 18:20
"The minister explained that if a moratorium was to be imposed on the manufacture of fireworks, the manufacturers would have less time to produce the fireworks needed for the next festa season. This would create unnecessary pressure which could potentially cause accidents."
If need be such a moratorium would extend to the next festa season and until the whole fireworks manufacturing scenario reaches a satisfactory level. Forgoing fireworks for one season (the festas would still go on of course) is far preferable to putting more lives in danger. The safeguarding of the citizens' life and wellbeing should be the Minister's priority not pandering to the wishes of firteworks enthusiasts.
Franco Scicluna
Sep 9th 2010, 17:59
There should be just one big fireworks factory in the islands because of our small size. This should be strictly government controlled on international standards.All fireworks enthusiasts and professionals should be employed there. Festa organisations, Festivals and all who need the product should apply to this factory to purchase.the firework.Factory employess themselves will let off the fireworks.Transport of this material, will be under strict police or military supervision.I am sure this will surely reduce the loss of further lives.
mario azzopardi
Sep 9th 2010, 17:59
On 9/11 2752 died in the twin towers out of a population of 310 million. Last Sunday 6 died out of a population of 400,000. This would have translated to 5300 on 9/11. Yes detail is important but ACTION in neeeded too.
karm cassar
Sep 9th 2010, 16:07
Some say that fireworks are part of our culture. True to some extent but what about the commercial element of these factories ?
leo attard
Sep 9th 2010, 14:53
mr Minister, this wasn't an isolated incident! I think malta made it into the guiness book of records for the most fireworks-factory explosions in one year, and considering how small this island is that is saying a lot!.................something is wrong and i think you should follow the prevention is better than cure policy......Coiunterproductive? Is that all that our modern materialist society is concerned about? everyone know pyrotechnics is a big business and that htere are a lot of die-hard fans out there! but sense would dictate that a stop should be made and a quick and thorough inestigation pursued --- are you ready to face the widows of gharb and talk to them of productivity and counterproducctivity?
g ellul
Sep 9th 2010, 14:10
Jista' l-Ministru jikkonferma dak li qalu l-media li l-murtali gew trasportati under police escort sal-barge, u minn Hondoq ir-Rummien ghal kmamar tan- nar fejn l-Gharb xi skorta kien hemm?
Jista' jghidilna x'kontrolli jsiru mill-Gozo Channel biex jassiguraw li mhux qed jghabbu splussivi fuq il-vapuri tal-passiggieri taghhom? Isir checking tat-taghbija li jkun hemm fuq it-trakkijiet telghin u nezlin Ghawdex?
Benigno Saliba
Sep 9th 2010, 13:44
A moratorium running the course of the investigation is a sound decision. But there should be a time frame. Further to A.Zahra's expert explanation of pyrothecnic facts, I suggest that investigators take note of the fact that fireworks manufactures should shoulder the responsibility of their own fireworks until it is let off.
mariopandolfino
Sep 9th 2010, 13:20
lack of enfocement?I have read one of the interview given to the times by a relative of one of the victims that he used to take the two boys with him to the fire works factory as from the age of ten.
Philip Borg
Sep 9th 2010, 13:01
All experts and lawyers quoted in this report rightly refer to strict adherance to regulations as regards safety to workers themselves and the public in general. Besides the quality of materials used and skills required, there is the issue of physical distance of such factories vis-a-vis residences.
One has to keep in mind that most of these factories have been licenced to operate since ages. I personally know most of those working at the Mosta factory and i can vouch their leader Mario Farrugia is one of the most self-disciplined persons i have ever met!
It was only over recent years that some people have opted to build their residences, country houses and summer resorts only after knowing that a fireworks factory ALREADY existed next door to their desire spot...
Same applies to fields where petards are let off during village feasts. Similar arguments come along when apllications for cemetries or their extensions appear.
Dear lawyers (and judges! - and MEPA for all that matters!!!) : what kind of law and what amount of justice applies in such cases????
Darren J. Galea
Sep 9th 2010, 12:57
As always, words. Blah, blah blah. We all know that should our wise leaders, who are against a moratorium, pass a law requiring stringent checks, such laws will not, repeat not, be enforced and those responsible for the checks will not have the guts to carry them out properly. Period.
Are our illustrious politicians, who enjoy complete immunity from prosecution should any of their decisions cause, directly or indirectly, damage to persons or property, prepared to take actual responsibility for the consequences of not wanting a moratorium? Are they prepared to take PERSONAL responsibility for the consequences of any decisions they make? The hell they are.
This is the problem of lack of accountability in these islands. Our leaders are insulated from responsibility and do not fear making bad decisions, thus continue to make them ad nauseaum.
joe vella
Sep 9th 2010, 12:49
all this talk of inquiry, investigation etc is just the usual play for time business
there has been an investigation already some years ago, how many of its recommendations are being followed? is the supposed inspectorate strong enough to impose the rules?
it is useless investigating unless you can control- and have the will and power to do so
we have now got bored with this cycle, event/deaths and injuries/public outcry/emotional funerals/the minister calls for an inquiry/months elapse before a report is issued/lot of words finally come out/people forget/minimal action/event-more deaths /repeat cycle
R.Gauci
Sep 9th 2010, 13:38
Hekk hu s-soltu paroli fil-vojt u ma jsir xejn!! Issa nhallu dawn l-4 festi li baqa jaghddu u kollox jintesa taht it-tapit issa drajniha s-sistema ta' kif qed jitmexxa dan il-pajjiz!!
Dan l-istess Ministru li kien jghid li ma kienx hawn krizi fil-qasam ta' l-immgrazzjoni illegali u Alla hares ma kienx il-Gvern Taljan li salvana!!
A Zahra
Sep 9th 2010, 12:34
What we need is enforcement of standards which at the moments do not exist. we have neither the standards nor an authority with the right knowledge and executive power for their enforcement.
Couple this with the idiscriminate use of Potassium and Barium Chlorate (Cheap and very effective) in the local industry and the end result is what we are seeing today. Potassium and Barium Chlorate give rise to highly sensitive mixtures which in the right environmental coniditions eg: high humidity, contact with suphurs etc will ignite with the end result of what we are know witnessing. Instead the authority should impose the adoption of potassium perchlorate and nitrate salts as the oxidising agents in pyrotechnic compositions with complete eliminattion of chlorate based subtances.
The authority should also monitor for the use of Ammonium perchlorate since this is technically banned from use in Malta however form what one sees in the summer night sky this is definitely making it's way into particular factories. Ammonium perchlorate reacts with potassium nitrate a key component of black powder with devastatting effects.
Further to this it should be ensured that all factories have adequately earthed machinery in an Esd protected and controlled environment.
Raymond Camilleri
Sep 9th 2010, 13:52
they will not take any notice ... PN and PL are in cahoots with the fanatics.... I bet that most of them think perchlorate and chlorate are the same thing and never saw them react ... a peasant mentality
R Camilleri
Sep 9th 2010, 13:53
A Zahra, I would like to point out that although KClO4 is safter it is toxic at lower levels than KClO3. In fact the permissible level (USA) for perchlorate in drinking water is at 2 ppb (microgram per litre). This extremely low level is due to the fact that this oxidiser causes thyroid problems. The aim is to shift to safer and more environmentally friendly chemicals. Please note that in Malta more than 220 tons of chemicals are use per year in fireworks!
The problem with NH4ClO4 in Malta is due to the vast use of KClO3 since if these two are mixed, by mistake of course, NH4ClO3 forms which is extrenely unstable.
A Zahra
Sep 9th 2010, 16:12
Dear R.Camilleri.
You are very right regarding the reaction Chlorates to Ammonium Perchlorate. However please note the below quotattion from Bill Ofca (this is no common joe) manual on Fireworks safety regarding the hidden dangers of nitrates and ammonium perchlorate casuing a hidden reaction which is unnoticable initially but which can in the long term have devastating effects especially in super humid Malta.
" ignition due to spontaneous combustion, the accident usually occurs from mixing chemicals that are incompatible, especially in a wet state such as in making stars. Sometimes the reaction can be subtle (without ignition;) and go unnoticed until the stars have dried. Then the mixture may be unstable and extremely sensitive to friction or be so hygroscopic that it becomes wet again on a future humid day. Combining ammonium perchlorate and potassium nitrate yields this reaction"
If you want a copy of the manual can be seen online at.
http://www.skylighter.com/skylighter_info_pages/Books/fireworkssafetymanualofca.htm
R Camilleri
Sep 9th 2010, 18:41
Dear A Zahra
I am familiar with Bill Ofca's manuals. I think Bill Ofca here is referring to the hygroscopicity of the resulting mixture. Combining ammonium perchlorate and potassium nitrate will probably result in the formation of ammonium nitrate which is very hygroscopic but not unstable. Having a wet star inside the shell is always unwise since stars are primed with black powder which contains sulfur! In fact, please read the following couple of sentences!
w. Cauchi
Sep 9th 2010, 12:26
in the last two incidents, explosions happened when the fireworks were being loaded onto trucks. however this was not even mentioned by the minister.
What is being done to assure that these fireworks are not being transported through our roads to the risk of the general public.
in the last incident in Gharb, not one truck blew up, but 5 trucks fully loaded were blow to smitterens.
Has anybody an idea what would be the consequences if this happened when they were passing through one of our towns or villages.
Science Fiction? Are you sure? Hope so. Prevention please.
C Buttigieg
Sep 9th 2010, 14:09
Mr Cauchi ghall jista jkun int kont prezenti waqt li sehhet l-isplozjoni ghax jekk le tista tghidli kif wasalt ghall konklozjoni li din sehhet mit trakkijiet tinsiex dawn ma kienux f'ghalqa imma go fabrika li timmanifattura in-nar.
Hawn Malta ma ghaniex ghax ninkwetaw iktar ghax kullhadd espert .
Stephen Florian
Sep 9th 2010, 12:09
MINISTER CARM MIFSUD BONNICI: Please also take into consideration the Fireworks factories which are in close proximity to schools before the real big tragedy happens. As the Gharb tragedy shows, the 183 metre perimeter is useless, if loaded trucks are piled up together side by side.in the territory of any fireworks factory. Please take action, once and for all and we will be more than grateful to you.
S Vella
Sep 9th 2010, 12:04
I have to admit that I am not a fireworks enthusiast but I am not against it so long it is sensible and not exaggerated in noises. I also admire the dedication and talent of those involved in the manufacture of fireworks. Having said that I, personally do not agree with a moratorium as it may be a trigger for underground manufacture of fireworks that will lead to tragedies like the one in Naxxar. However there has to be strict controls and inspections by those concered at random and at very frequent intervals. Strict controls over the importation of materials should also be imposed
L. Cutajar
Sep 9th 2010, 12:04
Same old words. This issue is not being taken seriously. All wants fireworks to continue. This is not a question of regulations, inspections, or court action. Either we should continue with manufacturing fireworks or not. Tragedies comes and goes and by the very next day, everyone forgets about it and continue with the normal ways. This should stop and this matter to be taken seriously within a time frame. Otherwise this issue will ever comes to an end.
J Farrugia
Sep 9th 2010, 12:04
IF such a moratorium is enforced, everyone be careful. There will be clandestine works in aunappropriate places and then we will put all criminal responsibility on those who are advocating a moratorium. This Moratorium is not on. It will endanger more people than saving lives. The less these lawyers speak the better and its would be prudent for the authorities not to heed these lawyers' words. They dont understand pyrotechnics. let them eat law if they really know how to interpret laws, but keep them far away from fireworks.
Raymond Camilleri
Sep 9th 2010, 14:06
criminal responsibility should be put on criminals who manufacture fireworks illegally ... remember Naxxar? no moratorium then..... and if you think it will all go underground then we might as well revoke all licenses since in your own words these people are FANATICS who CANNOT be trusted.
Ramon Casha
Sep 9th 2010, 14:56
No, the moratorium will eliminate the danger because nobody would be allowed to let off any fireworks whatsoever until the cause of these accidents is identified and rectified.
Dennis Zammit
Sep 9th 2010, 11:59
As stated in former blogs, being a former fireworks licensee, the authorities should strengthen the procedures of the importation, storage and sales of materials and chemicals used in the fireworks manufacturing industry.
Too many stores are around us and importation using the internet is currently a widely spread method.
More checks please!
J Farrugia
Sep 9th 2010, 13:39
May I add to this man's advice. The newly appointed Board of Inquiry should investigate what Mr Servolo Delicata has already opined in the media, about the IGNITERS. Is it true or is it false that mobile phones can cause explosions in the fireworks factories, like terrorists do. Is it true or is it false that these electronic devices CAN CAUSE the fireworks with these IGNITERS to explode without warning? I hope that this is all myth and not true, otherwise there is an open admission that such devices were responsible for this tragedy as well as the Mosta one. Can this Commission investigate this line of suspicion?