Lack of safety awareness near burnt down factory – NGO

An environmental organisation has urged those living or working near the Drop Chemicals factory in Mrieħel, which was engulfed by fire last Thursday, to wear gas masks because of safety concerns.

In a statement, Youth for the Environment (Y4TE) said people should keep their windows closed to prevent toxic particles and fumes entering buildings because of the plumes of smoke.

“After speaking to witnesses, it seems there is a lack of health and safety awareness near the Drop Chemicals factory, which is now simply a blackened shell,” the NGO said.

Witnesses said the Mrieħel bypass remained open well after the first explosions were heard, with a steady flow of cars driving past the nearby inferno, Y4TE said.

The road was eventually closed by security services.

It took five hours for the raging fires to be extinguished at the detergents factory, with over 30 water tankers used to put out the fire following a series of loud explosions.