No licence for Lija fireworks factory
‘Feast will be jeopardised’
Borderline factories, such as Lija, could be required to store the fireworks some distance away from where they are produced. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
The Lija fireworks factory, one of Malta’s main pyrotechnic producers, has not been awarded a licence for the coming year, The Times has learnt.
Police have not issued St Michael’s Fireworks Club with a licence, which must be renewed annually, Brigadier Martin Xuereb, head of the Explosives Committee, confirmed.
As a result, the Armed Forces of Malta has refused to issue a consignment of pyrotechnic chemicals to the factory, igniting protests from enthusiasts who say the town’s famed display in August during the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus is in jeopardy.
The decision is related to the proximity of the factory, which sits on the Iklin hill, to a large cluster of terraced houses. By law there must be a buffer zone of 183 metres between fireworks factories and inhabited property.
Club secretary Joseph Mangion admitted the distance between the factory and a main road running directly in front of the properties was some six metres short of the legal requirement but insisted that the houses were well outside the buffer zone.
The Police Commissioner was asked why the licence was not renewed and why the decision was only taken now, seeing as the factory has been in this situation for years.
However, no response was forthcoming by the time of going to print.
The issue regarding the factory’s buffer zone has been long-standing and includes concerns over a nearby school. However, the Lija club has stressed over the years that the factory has been in the area far longer than the surrounding developments.
Legal amendments about to be passed in Parliament could provide a solution for the Lija factory and other plants whose proximity to urban areas has been an issue over the years.
The amendments provide a compromise for such borderline factories by introducing a requirement for the fireworks to be stored elsewhere.
To this effect, Mr Mangion told The Times that the Lija club had bought a second property in Salina, which was licensed to hold fireworks and where the club had stored fireworks in the past.
“But, in the meantime, the clock is ticking,” Mr Mangion said.
“We already know that part of the display for this year’s feast has been compromised because the only way to make up for lost time would be to cut corners on safety.
“We also feel it is unfair that a cleric from our village (Mgr Charles Scicluna) will be ordained as bishop (on Saturday) and we’re not going to be able to have any fireworks.”
The development comes in the wake of the latest fireworks tragedy at the Qalb Ta’ Gesù factory in Għarb where four people died in an explosion on October 28.
The tragedy reignited the debate on fireworks safety and, ironically, one of the urgent measures suggested by both enthusiasts and experts lobbying for tougher regulation has been to increase the number of factories.
Over the years, a series of accidents have destroyed some major factories, forcing production to be concentrated in the hands of a few plans – a situation which those in the industry believe increases the risks.
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123 Comments
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Joseph Zahra
Nov 18th 2012, 11:08
Proset lill Awtoritajiet ..... DIN VERU TAL-MISTHIJA, l-ewwel tajtu il-permessi tal-bini lill 4 bazuzli u issa tridu tnehulna il-Kamra tan-Nar ta' Hal Lija li illa mibnija min 1915. Dazgur li jikkumentaw dawn li ma jridux il kamra hemm. Mistoqsija wahda naghmel u nixtieq li tirrisponduwa, meta xtrajtu l-art nahseb rajtuwa il Kamra ta Nar ux!!! Mela dak in nhar ma kontux tibzaw minnha ....
sylvan borg
Nov 18th 2012, 11:05
First the villa people purchase land at a cheap price on the pretext of dangers from the fire works factory that has been erected before even the oldest villa person was even born, then these villa people, kick out the old broom neighbor.
Mario Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 09:00
"The only way to make up for the lost time will be to cut corners on safety" - No wonder the fireworks business (not hobby of course) is in this situation.
wayne Coppola
Nov 18th 2012, 08:47
lee vera qedghin seww 4 minkom aww tajjebb melaa tridu twaqfu il kmamar tan nar mellaa tista twaqfuu il karozzii ax kwazi kuljum imut xi hadd ee??il veru ma tisthuxx titkelmuu..ml wara li sir xi dizgrazzjaa kulhadd jtikellem u jiftah halquu u tigu taqaw u tqumu mil familji taghhom imma basta tparlaww bijx umbd isib li mijn ikun kontrijomm u jrid iwaqafom isibuu fuq qudiem jara in narr !! isthuuuu
Anthony Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 07:08
Ban them for ever!
Who needs middle-ages entertainment mentality in a modern-day environment.
Jason Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 10:00
Just go drug your self if tahts the only thing you knw how to enetertain yourself
Michael Magri
Nov 18th 2012, 10:05
Are You Realy That Modern Ton.. Hallina habib..
Johann Tonna
Nov 18th 2012, 19:48
Who needs middle-ages entertainment mentality in a modern-day environment????
Tider li qatt ma tlajt festa ta, toroq mifquwajn bin nies ikun hemm, umbad tigi tghid hekk?? Come on :/
Leslie Storace
Nov 18th 2012, 03:11
This is really good news. May it never be renewed again. I live in Iklin and for years I had to put up with what would have made the Blitz of London pale in comparison to noise.The fallout from the pieces of cardboard, paper and string that fall into my garden stick on the trees, whilst hot embers pit everything they fall onto and cause irrepiarable damage, especially cars. Look foward to August.
Johann Tonna
Nov 18th 2012, 19:49
Then look forward to clean your garden again.
E Schembri
Nov 19th 2012, 09:27
You should have thought about this before you purchased your property.
Also thank God for the factory as probably it was the reason you could afford a garden, as houses with gardens in other areas cost a bomb! :)
Nikolai callus
Nov 18th 2012, 02:01
So lets put in the normal people point of view shall we? You have a house and it's been passed from generations to generations to your family , One day the government wants to build a new road , and they take your house , so you think this is fair ? the fireworks factory is over 90 years old ..who ever gave the permission to built houses and school nearby the factory was not responsible come on!
Kim Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 00:20
Tajjeb hafna. Il kamra tan Nat kienet hemm l-ewwel. Min mar xtara l art hdeja xtara bic cucri. L awtorita hallit il min jibni hdeja. U Issa il kamra tan Nar ikolla tic caqlaq mhux hekk hu. Disgustanti sitwazjoni disgustanti
Joe Fenech
Nov 18th 2012, 00:03
Some drastic measures need to be taken. If PN has the guts to take them , he'll win votes.
carmel cassar
Nov 17th 2012, 22:44
the best news ever
Mr Peter Korsten
Nov 17th 2012, 20:40
We have a tradition that goes back a long time, and is very much a part of our culture, but we also have the most densely populated country in Europe.
There's not going to be an easy solution for this.
Johann Tonna
Nov 18th 2012, 19:50
There will never be I'm afraid.
Mr Colin Schembri
Nov 17th 2012, 20:18
Tinsewx li fejn hemm il-kamra tan-nar hemm hafna vilel...u dawn li joqghodu fil-vilel ihossu li huma superjuri ghall-kumplament tan-nies. Vera tal-misthija.
Din is-sena mort biex nara s-show ta' Hal-Lija u fit-8 kien diga ppakjat bin-nies. Il-ghaliex din il-hdura u mibeghda lejn il-loghob tan-nar?
Antoine Ferrito
Nov 18th 2012, 08:06
Forsi ghax m hux kulhadd japprezza l-istorbju ta' bombi bla sens, id-dhahen, il-hsara li ssir fuq il-propjeta jew vetturi u l-periklu? Min irid imut bil-bombi jmur go Gaza m'hux joqghod idejjaq u jipperikola lil haddiehor.
Peter Midler
Nov 17th 2012, 19:29
The feast is in jeopardy. So what?! Ha taqa id-dinja? What is more important the festa or the lives and peace of m ind of nearby residents? Lets see if votes are more important than people in this issue too!
Alfred Attard
Nov 17th 2012, 19:03
Why should the permit be issued if the premises do not qualify for the required distance from inhabited property including a school? A lot has been said after the recent Gharb tragedy. It is time that action be taken to adhere to safety precautions. I do hope that both major political parties do not interfere in this issue to take political advantage for the forthcoming election.
Peter Murray
Nov 17th 2012, 20:00
Why was the permit issued in the first instance is the question?
Kim Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 00:22
The homes surrounding it should never have been built.
Carmel Grima
Nov 17th 2012, 17:50
Houses (having entire families within ) are in the vicinity and a school as well, wow is that all ?
My question. Just why did it take so long to withold this permit. Good on you Police Commisioner ! God bless you.
Ing Carmel Grima
Nikolai callus
Nov 18th 2012, 02:02
Who gave permission in the first place for the houses and the school when the factory was already their ? thanks!
G Schembri
Nov 17th 2012, 17:42
Now we know how to close all fireworks factories, we build roads close to them and refuse from renewing their licence.
Ian Vella
Nov 17th 2012, 17:28
Proset mela issa nixtri bicca art hdejn kamra tan nar halli kif il-gvern jghalaq il-kamra tigi TISWA!!! mela paxxuhom ....!! umbghad niftahru ghax Malta ghandha talent fil-loghob tan-Nar! u ngibu it turisti ghas siposium fil-fireworks festival!! Dawk veru li ghandhom ghal qalbhom in-nar nuru simpatija ma hal Lija ghax illum huma u ghada se tkunu intkom ZGUR !! BLA L-ICKEN DUBJU!
Mario Pandolfino
Nov 17th 2012, 17:05
Jien kont pumpier ghal 8 snin shah meta din kienet f'idejn il pulizija.Mort fuq 6 jew 7 spluzjonijiet ta kmamar tan nar.Darba meta zmien ilu splodiet il kamra tan nar ta Hal-Lija konna sibna travu tal hadid tas 6 pulzieri fit-triq nofs kilometru il bodd mil kamra tan nar li kienet ghada kif splodiet.Daqsekk kienet tas sahha kbira din l-ispluzzjoni.Kien miet espert tan nar dak inhar.
pacifico galea
Nov 18th 2012, 09:07
IL KAMRA TAN NAR TA HAL LIJA QATT MA TARET SUR PANDOLFINO TIPRUVAX TIMPRESIONA. META QED ISSEMMI INT KINET TARET IL KAMRA TAN NAR PRIVATA TAL QATT MINSI IS SUR MIFSUD. GRAZZI
Joseph Zahra
Nov 18th 2012, 11:13
Hekk hu Sur Pandolfino ...... nfatti dik li kienet vicin ta triq!!! Qabel tikteb messagi hawn gieb l-informazjoni ezatt, dik mhux ta Hal Lija!
ANTHONY PAVIA
Nov 17th 2012, 16:43
" the only way to make up for lost time would be to cut corners on safety."
Fascinating betrayal of reality. Now we know why they blow up!
stephen mifsud
Nov 17th 2012, 15:42
why dont we close the isalnd down for all cars on the road as people get killed all the while and while we are at it lets close all the beaches down because people drown all the while and maybe we can stop baking pastizzis to because they have to much lard which causes heart attacks and well ok stop making maltese hobz to because it puts weight on you which will eventually kill you...
roderick vella
Nov 17th 2012, 15:08
why 'ironically' to increase the number of factories? we have a number of localities who do not have a fireworks factory, but still they have licenced fireworks enthusiats who practice their hobby in a licenced fireworks factory. these places are getting crammed. we need more factories to avoid the risks!!. closing lija fireworks factory will add the pressure on the remaining factories.
Joseph Zahra
Nov 18th 2012, 11:15
Proset Roderick, veru message bis-sens imma nahseb l-awtoritajiet qed jghixu fuq pjaneta differenti!
stephen mifsud
Nov 17th 2012, 15:00
another tradition gone so now we lost then Old Busses -- the rude and funny drivers who knew there job well and now we lose our Fireworks due to lack of regulations by this gonzipn and we lost our open space for a Parliament and we did not get the Opera house rebuilt ... aaargh i need help as my Malta is not what it is ... WAKE UP PEOPLE and do something to stop this !!!!
D. Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 14:55
Kull ma gara hu restrizzjonijiet fl-ghoti tal-materjal li halli jkun hemm kontroll ahjar ... din diga hi differenti hafna milli tghid licenzja irtirata.
It-tieninett anke kieku nar ma jsirx ma jfissirx li l-festa tithassar. Bhallikieku l-festa nar biss?! L-armar, banda, purcissjoni ecc xorta jsiru
Godfrey Bartolo
Nov 17th 2012, 17:09
Sur david , tkellem ma min trid li hu delitant tal festi u dan jiadlek li Festa bla Nar mix festa , sin hija tradizjioni Maltija u naqra naqra se nitilfu kollox li hu Malti ... u noqghodu noholmu biss .. importanti li ikun hemm il ligijiet imma ma titax teqred il kultura .... il kniesja ghanda bzon tikellem ghax ftit taz zmien iehor anke il kultura li immorru il kniesja
Joseph N. Attard
Nov 17th 2012, 14:49
ALL firework manufacture in ALL fireworks factories in Malta should be suspended forthwith, until such a time as the most stringent international safety measures are in place. And until anyone who is permitted to even set foot inside a factory's perimiter wall has been extensively trained and subsequently certified by fully qualified experts in the use and deadly dangers of the chemicals involved.
Johann Tonna
Nov 17th 2012, 21:15
Being fully qualified does not mean that accidents will never happen.
With this reasoning everyone on this island should make their driving test every year!!
Mark Vella Bardon
Nov 17th 2012, 14:13
What I have always been seriously concerned about is how there fireworks are transported!
Which routes are used, whether police escort is mandatory etc. etc.
Chris Deguara
Nov 17th 2012, 13:55
Why all this hatred against Lija fireworks?. It was your option to buy a house and live near the factory.
Paul Galea
Nov 17th 2012, 15:09
This is the same as the ex gas bottling plant at Qajjenza.The plant was first before the houses but look what happened.The plant had to move. Unfortunately this will happen to St.Michael's fireworks factory.
E. Azzopardi
Nov 17th 2012, 13:48
Some sense at last, although we are still behind.
Many of those making comments have no idea of what priorities are. In fact common sense prevailed.
In the meantime, I suppose the country is waiting for the next "big bang" if we keep procrastinating. And more lives are lost. But from the comments I see, it seems there are those who do not care about this.
Mario Micallef
Nov 17th 2012, 13:37
kulhadd jinqeda b'kull raguni biex jeqred din il-haga unika.jien wahda nghid.sinjal li min qed jopponi m'ghandux minn fejn ibill subajh ghax kieku gwerra issir!hadd ma jifhem il-valur aggunt li jgibu dawn l-ispettakli.saqsu l-ewwel lin-nies ta' hal lija flimkien ma' dawk il-postijiet li huma rinomati ghan-nar! ftahru li intom Maltin!qisu Malta biss jigru l-incidenti!kemm hawn min hu perfett!!
Thomas Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 13:36
Thank God they did not receive the licence. I don't really see the point in fireworks...
Bernard Bezzina
Nov 17th 2012, 18:41
Qeghdin taraw fejnha l-mingheda u l-egoizmu tan-nies f'dan il-pajjiz. He's thanking God that the licence wasn't renewed. Miskin he doesn't see the point in fireworks. Jekk jien (ghal grazzja tal-argument) nobghod il-futbol niehu gost li kieku jinghalqu l-grawnds tal-futbol. Like I said earlier......it's amazing how the hatred of certain people manages to deprive them of their objectivity
John Dee
Nov 17th 2012, 13:33
Although I have no reason to comment on the pros and cons of firework production and displays, except that I feel losing one's life over a "hobby" does not seem a sensible act, I would like someone to explain the appeal of letting them off in the hours of daylight. Most of us, I'm sure, enjoy a colourful display lighting up the sky at night, but why the pointless loud bangs and puffs of smoke?
Johann Tonna
Nov 17th 2012, 21:24
Many are failing to realise that this is not just a hobby, its a way of life for us.
They're not pointless loud bangs and puffs of smoke, for us they're MUSIC!
Lucienne Dimech
Nov 17th 2012, 13:32
This is great news if it lasts
Jason Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 16:26
Its REally bad news , It will increase the Chance of further tragedies!!!!!
Fireworks entousiasts will go with other factries increasing the oressure with more DANGER
That is why it is a bad news!!!
J. Pace
Nov 17th 2012, 13:28
cool...inqas storbju @ work ...
Jason Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 10:03
Egoismu
Peter Galea
Nov 17th 2012, 13:24
Jien naqbel li ikun hemm sorveljanza u osservanza stretta tal ligijiet, imma bid-disgrazzi kolla li saru f'malta qatt ma kien hemm xi hsarat serju jew korrimenti f'xi residenzi privata. Il-kamra tan-nar ta hal lija ila hemm bosta snin qabel ma kien hemm bini reidenzjali. Il-mepa ghanda tara li ma jinhargux permessi ta bini hdejn kmamar tan-nar ezistenti. U ghanke ma nafx x'differenza tamel 6 met
Joseph Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 13:23
At last, some common sense. Although I like the Lija fireworks, I cannot agree with the amount of damage they do to residents in the vicinity and the MCAST school. Not to mention the fires that break out in the fields.
Johann Tonna
Nov 17th 2012, 21:30
Just a simple question, WHY were MCAST and the surrounding houses built right beside the fireworks factory that has been there since 1925?????
Mark Caruana
Nov 17th 2012, 13:23
If the fireworks factory was there before and this is so vital for the country's tourism, who was responsible for the urban planning of the area before granting permits to houses? Why are we punishing the country and its economy?
J. Tabone
Nov 17th 2012, 13:13
Loud fireworks which have no visual appeal... 'Murtali'? I'm really curious to see what percentage of the population would prefer if they were abolished? I can understand people enjoying the colorful visually appealing ones... but the loud bangs that wake up babies and cause you to swerve in your car... not my cup of tea.
Gordon Grech
Nov 17th 2012, 12:49
Finally no Murtali! Some people are happy!! What a shame. Solidarity with my friends of Lija.
Ray de Bono
Nov 17th 2012, 12:38
Living so close to this factory the 'news' that this facility is "NOT LICENSED", if this is true, is VERY alarming. Not only do we have to live with the fracas & noises of the fireworks in the area, but also with the risk of being injured through some likely accident; not to mention having our roofs, gardens & cars parked in the area littered with charred materials falling from from the sky.
Dion Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 22:03
People like you are complaining of danger or noises etc..can i ask were you there in Iklin before the fireworks factory..?? don't think so and if not why buy/build a house there in the first place..?? why did the authorities concerned let permits for houses in the vicinity..?? the lija festa is nothing without fireworks..and surely you're a local born and bred your views would be different.
Paul Caruana
Nov 17th 2012, 12:35
No doubt Mgr Scicluna is having sleepless nights at the prospect that no fireworks will be let off on his ordination day!
Bernard Bezzina
Nov 17th 2012, 12:22
It's amazing how the hatred of certain people manages to deprive them of their objectivity.................
Joseph Brincat
Nov 17th 2012, 12:22
The factory was built well before all the buildings surrounding it in all directions were constructed. So it was a real shame on the authorities who had and are still giving permits to develop this area. So for the short-sightedness of those in authority (??) the factory is made to suffer which after all its works always gave immense joy to all enthusiasts of fireworks. MEPA please reconsider!!
George Joseph Cauchi
Nov 17th 2012, 12:57
People's lives come first before the egoism of Fire works enthusiasts.
C Calafato
Nov 17th 2012, 13:13
@ Cauchi.
The people went to build, buy houses and live near the factory not vice versa. This situation has been so for tens of years why all this fear right now???
Mandy Spagnol
Nov 17th 2012, 12:09
David Farrugia shall we ban cars from our streets because of day to day exhaust?!?!
Mandy Spagnol
Nov 17th 2012, 11:59
If I am not mistaken the fireworks factory was built before the main road and houses?! So why don't we demolish the houses instead of stopping others from practising their hobby? Are we telling tourists not to come during summer season? Because everyone know that tourists like our festive seasons just for firworks.
J. Pace
Nov 17th 2012, 13:27
Tourist come for many reasons not only for fireworks...For sure those little amount of tourist that come for fireworks are negligible when compared to the others...
Mandy Spagnol
Nov 17th 2012, 15:10
They come for many reasons and this one is one of them.
Albert Attard
Nov 17th 2012, 11:55
when the factory was built, there were no other buildings. Whoever decided to built his nice luxurious villa next to the firework factory knew what he was doing and if he is against the fireworks factory and fireworks display should have not moved to live in the area.
Chris Debono
Nov 17th 2012, 11:49
I can't understand how things work on this Island.Any thing that belong to our culture and tradition is being diminished.And the worst of all is that no other alternative is given.Once our culture and traditions disappear then our identity is lost.
Clint Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 15:39
perfectly said! And it's not just pyrotechnics. We are simply killing our identity and unique image which tourists appreciate and is one of the main reason they choose Malta instead of other sunny touristic places.
Mauro debattista
Nov 17th 2012, 11:44
Hahahaha
Anne Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 11:36
This factory has been there long since these houses spread to L-iklin area. Many people from other towns and villages moved near Lija and soon after the move they began to complain about the noise and debri the fireworks make. Didn't these people do their homework before they actually moved there. Now the village people have to suffer because of some idiots! Thks! I lived with these fireworks.
B. Attard
Nov 17th 2012, 11:32
La din il-kamra tan-nar inbniet lura fl-ghoxrinijiet fejn ma kienx hemm bini madwarha, il-permess m'ghandux jinzamm il-ghaliex bl-istess argument, ghandha tinfetah inkjesta dwar kif inghataw il-permessi sabiex jinbnew id-djar tal-madwar fil-vicinanzi taghha.
Jekk wiehed iddecieda li jixtri bini fejn razzett tal-annimali, ghalxejn jilmenta dwar l-irwejjah. L-istess f'dan il-kaz! Tal-Misthija.
Clint Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 11:29
Why all this hate to local pyrotechnics? Don't you at least understand that they work voluntarily for the sake of our culture? They risk their lives for us to enjoy their colorful displays? Local authorities should continue to ensure maximum safety so no more lives are sacrificed ... but it's cultural suicide to ban pyrotechnics. that's no the solution
Rene Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 11:29
So the buildings came long after as the school did, but it's the fireworks factory that has to close..as usual in this country decisions are taken to please the crowd and not the rite. Even if not from Lija will miss my yearly appointment on the 5th august sitting on the wall and pleasing my eyes with the beautiful display you guys put every year.
Patrick Zahra
Nov 17th 2012, 11:12
Safety first and foremost !
James Dewar
Nov 17th 2012, 11:50
Patrick, you stole my exact words!!!
Bernard Pollacco
Nov 17th 2012, 11:08
how stupid some comments are !! for these people its like telling them you can't practice their favourite sport anymore !!! its THEIR hobby not yours, i'm not that much of fan BUT for the week of the feast i have to make a sacrifice and live on !
Charles Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 12:27
You are so naive my friend and need to be educated a little bit and have more sense.
Bernard Pollacco
Nov 17th 2012, 12:36
why am i naive ? cause i don't agree with the comments ?
Thomas Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 13:43
The thing is that when their 'hobby' becomes deadly its the authorities and family that pay emotionally and the people pay taxes to pay the authority.
Clint Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 15:45
All hobbies have risks ... this year 8 people died with diving related accidents ... so we ban diving?! No ... let everyone choose what risks they take. And for the sake of our culture for 4 days once a year have some patience with firework displays if you dislike them ... just for the sake of our culture if you respect what's Maltese
Franco Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 21:53
@ Mr Pollacco: If I practice my favour sport, such as football, I am harming nobody and I affect noone. Not so with dangerous things such as fireworks. Your comment makes no sense.
Charles Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 23:15
Not only naive but stupid too.
roderick vella
Nov 17th 2012, 10:55
What a shame!!! Just a reminder this fireworks factory was built before 1920!!! Did anyone purchase his property in this area before 1920!!!
Daniel Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 10:49
Dear Lija residents, As a resident from your neighbouring village of Balzan, I encourage you not to give up, since the scope of the village festa is not the amount of fireworks you have, but always about the village patron, in your case Jesus Christ our Saviour. As long as He is the centre of the feast, the feast will be as successful as it has always been.
Ruth Seychell
Nov 17th 2012, 11:53
well said...but for most thats not always a priority
James Dewar
Nov 17th 2012, 11:54
Daniel, the Lija feast was the very first Maltese feast we experienced many years ago and for us it still ranks as one of the best.. Hopefully a safe and sensible compromise can be reached to ensure that the feast will continue to be as successful and enjoyable for both Maltese and visitors.
Joseph Fenech
Nov 17th 2012, 10:39
Couldn't belive the hate of most people against fireworks... You don't like something so it has to be demolished and no longer seen. What a country of stupid people. If the situation was opposite , so there where the houses before the fireworks factory, the permision for the factory wouldn't be accepted. So why the permision for the houses was accepted in the first thing.
David Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 10:20
Fireworks should be banned for 2 reasons. The smoke emanating from such fireworks is toxic and the petard sounds is unbearable.
Peter Murray
Nov 17th 2012, 10:27
and the smoke emanting from tobacco products is what exactly?
Joseph Bajada
Nov 17th 2012, 11:14
Ban smoking too, disgusting thing.
Joseph Fenech
Nov 17th 2012, 16:21
You just got an achivement... the most nonsense comment one could ever do on the subject... What about the smoke of cars, boats, cigarettes, fireplaces etc etc. Surley much more toxic !!!
Mr vinny vella
Nov 17th 2012, 10:18
Great decision - Welcomed.
Joe Fenech
Nov 17th 2012, 10:07
"buffer zone of 183 metres between fireworks factories and inhabited property."
183 METRES??????????????????? What a laugh!
V. Cauchi
Nov 17th 2012, 10:20
183 metres are the old 600 feet. We still plod in sulphur-laden fields and cannot face up to real life and safety.
Joe Fenech
Nov 17th 2012, 10:06
Brilliant! Fireworks factories have no place in Malta. Close them down . Whoever wants to have fireworks can buy them abroad.
M. Degiorgio
Nov 17th 2012, 10:26
Brilliant! Cars have no place in Malta. Abolish them. Whoever wants to have a car can go abroad...... please....
Charles Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 12:30
Well said Joe and M. Degiorgio is lost in space poor bugger.
Joe Fenech
Nov 17th 2012, 17:35
M Degiorgio
Thallatx il-hass mall-bass. A car is a necessity. Making fireworks isn't!
Peter Murray
Nov 17th 2012, 10:04
Given the knee-jerk reasons for the declining to renew this license to operate how on earth did it manage to obtain the license in the first place and why didn't this so -called Exlposives Committee(who knew such existed and who are the members)how many more factories are similarly effected and why wasn't this factory shut down immediately after the recent tragedy as it is still operating now
V. Cauchi
Nov 17th 2012, 10:00
Are fireworks so important to celebrate the ordination of a bishop? I suggest engaging a line of hunters standing on a rooftop and firing a salvo from their shotguns when the bishop arrives in Lija - something of the sort they do at St Julians, and that's that. After all, this is the origin of musketterija.
Andrew James Brown
Nov 17th 2012, 16:43
good idea
Franco Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 10:00
And please do not use Mgr Scicluna for your 'arguments'. That's pathetic!
Tony Sciberras
Nov 17th 2012, 10:00
Hekk sew, Boarderline, Minn bena l-ewwel?
Only in Malta
S. Vella
Nov 17th 2012, 10:13
Safety first
Franco Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 10:26
'Min bena l-ewwel?'
Kollox sew, kienu hemm huma l-ewwel. IMMA L-PREZENZA TAGHHOM QEDHA TAFFETTWA HAZIN IL-MADWAR. Allura l-madwar UKOLL taghhom? Jew jippretendu dawn li l-madwar ghandu jibqa' mhux mibni minhabba fihom? Le, siehbi: logika u argument hziena!
Franco Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 09:59
Let the 'festa' be in jeopardy as much as possible - safety is first.
Charles Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 12:33
Who want feasts anymore these days. It is stupid and insanity to adore a statue.
Maya Fenech
Nov 17th 2012, 09:43
No feast is in jeopardy as I am sure all the feasts can be celebrated without loads of fireworks. One nice display per feast is all that it takes to make a nice statement and bring joy to the people. There really is no need of banging for days without sense, just because that is the way it always has been.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 10:27
Well said.
R. Balzan
Nov 17th 2012, 11:19
Better still have one huge feast on November 1 each year - All Saints' Day - and let off all the fireworks from one spot only - preferably on Filfla or better still from Comino so that our Gozitan friends can also enjoy the display. Villages can then celebrate their patron saint with all the spirituality in their churches on the actual feast day - but without any outdoor carnival or fireworks.
Mr phil sam
Nov 17th 2012, 09:43
So how are the fireworks transported from Lija to Salina ?.
Michael Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 09:39
and we stay transporting fireworks in the street with the danger 3 meters in front of you , with more risk due to electronic igniters !!! No to fireworks No to sound polution No to air Polution !!!
R. Refalo
Nov 17th 2012, 09:38
issa mux jighdu li mhux se jtawulhom imbat itawulhom f ' marzu ta jew fil bidu tas sajf.. ghax imbat kocc genn u ghagla biex jaghmlu hafna xoghol li suppost ghamluh bhalissa halli jlahqu ma haddiehor u fejn qatt ma taret din il kamra ittir din is sena..
Eugene Sapiano
Nov 17th 2012, 10:50
Wahda mill-problema hawn Malta hi li hafna mill-kazini tal-banda ghandhom bhala l-president taghom xi membru parlamentari, ghalhekk jaghmlu l-arja bih. Niftakar fl-1980 kien sar xi haga simili, imma f'daqqa wahda inghataw koncessjoni li n-nar mahzun kien se jintuza kollu u wara ftit kollox mar ghalli kien! Dan sewwa meta nafu l-periklu li dan jinvolvi?
R. Balzan
Nov 17th 2012, 09:32
Glory, glory Halleluliah! That's the best news we residents of the area have had for a long long time.
fredu debono
Nov 17th 2012, 09:17
that's one of the best news i have heard recently. no bombs, no exsessive noise, no traffic jams in lija. that's good. the feast will be the same/ after all the feast is the procession with the statue of our saviour. is it not????
Clint Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 11:25
The religious feast yes ... but luckily our culture is so rich and unique that with the religious feast we have accustomed several traditions which in them selves are not religious at all but make our culture so beutiful and unique! Just talk to tourists ... we simply don't appreciate the role of pyrotechnics on our modern culture.
Anthony Pace
Nov 17th 2012, 09:11
Good that will start the end of this infernal noisy firework display heard from half of Malta!!! May moe licences be refused. You do not need murtali & fireworks for a festa.
Dave Alan Caruana
Nov 17th 2012, 09:04
The catholic church should be the first to raise their voices on the current untenable situation with fireworks factories blowing up willy nilly and heavy loss of life. After a lot of pomp celebrating the lives of the 'heros' who died in Gozo a few weeks ago, the church should remember that the reason behind most of the fireworks is to celebrate catholic festivities.
Please choose the reason of your report below: