An inquiry board set up to investigate the cause of several deadly fireworks factory blasts last year has not concluded its work and will only do so by the end of summer, The Times has learned.

With the festa season in full swing and nine months after being set up, the inquiry board, chaired by Alfred Vella from the Chemistry Department at the University of Malta, is still conducting its investigations.

“Our hope is to be able to complete the work and hand in our conclusions by not later than the end of this summer,” Prof. Vella said when asked when the board would conclude its work.

He confirmed that chemicals used in fireworks manufacture were collected for examination but the tests had not yet been concluded.

The inquiry board was set up last September by the Home Affairs Ministry after a massive explosion killed six people and razed a fireworks factory in the limits of Għarb. The ministry had said at the time it expected the board to conclude its investigation in “the shortest time possible”.

The Għarb explosion was the second deadly accident in less than a month. In August, a man died when a fireworks factory exploded in the limits of Mosta.

There were three other fireworks explosions last year, when three men died.

The accidents had, among other things, raised doubts on the quality of the chemicals used in the manufacture of fireworks and the board was tasked to examine the matter, see what had caused the accidents and recommend measures to improve safety.

Prof. Vella said the board was looking at all the accidents that occurred over the last 20 years. “We are examining the reports of the magisterial inquiries and looking for any patterns in the reported causes of explosion,” he said.

Prof. Vella said the board was also talking to people involved in the industry, including the main suppliers of chemicals used in pyrotechnics. “We are also consulting several foreign experts on the matter and part of the reason for the delay in concluding the inquiry has to do with ttime required to obtain answers from people whom we contact via e-mail,” he said.

The other board members are chemist Servolo Delicata, biologist Victor Axiak and veteran fireworks enthusiast Joe Theuma.

Sources in the industry said the Għarb accident had forced Gozitan feast organisers to source their fireworks in Malta, leading to higher concentrations of fireworks being produced and stored in the major factories. In Gozo, the Għarb factory was a major supplier and storage facility for fireworks materials.

When asked whether there were increased inspections to ensure the factories were able to safely handle the increased workload, a spokesman for the Home Affairs Ministry said the Fireworks Inspectorate carried out regular checks. All fireworks factories had been inspected more than once, he added, with the rhythm of visits increasing gradually. So far this year, 18 inspections had been carried out.

The spokesman said fireworks factories cooperated with inspect-ors whenever shortcomings were identified. “Whenever the inspect-are not fully compliant with legislation, or otherwise not desirable, it highlights the issues to the licensee and, subsequently, carries out follow-up inspections to ensure relevant shortcomings have been rectified. Fireworks factories cooperate with the inspect-ors in such instances.”

What the inquiry has to do

Set up last year by the Home Affairs Ministry, the inquiry board was tasked to:

– collect and examine samples of the materials used for the manufacture of fireworks, including the commission of tests of this material both locally and abroad as required;

– examine any document, report or recommendations having information about the materials used in the manufacture of fireworks;

– examine practices and procedures related to the mixing of materials;

– make recommendations as it deems fit, as a result of its findings.

Explosions in 2010

February – Two men die in an explosion at St Sebastian fireworks factory in Qormi.

April – Two escape unhurt when the San Bartolomeo factory explodes in Għargħur.

May – One man dies at St Catherine’s fireworks factory in Marsaxlokk.

August – A man dies at the August 15 fireworks factory in Mosta.

September – Għarb fireworks factory explodes, three dead, one missing and two injured (with the final tally of six dead).

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