The nephew of the owner of the Għarb fireworks factory destroyed by an explosion in November, claiming four lives, has submitted an application to rebuild the factory.
Andrew Gatt’s uncle George Gatt was one of the victims. His application to the planning authority is for the reconstruction of demolished rooms at the Fontana Brothers Fireworks factory at Ta’ Ġarrija, in the limits of Għarb. It was originally granted a permit in 2003.
A spokesman for Mepa said the applicant had been notified that the site falls within an area of ecological importance.
However, the area is deemed sensitive for reasons other than the environment.
Three years ago, six people died in another explosion at Ta’ Nenu’s Fireworks Factory nearby – the permit for which was not renewed by the owners.
In 2010, the Għarb council held a referendum and Għarb residents voted No to more fireworks factory in the outskirts of the village.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who is responsible for Mepa, yesterday said that the application process had to take its course.
He spoke on the importance of maintaining balance in the fireworks industry: “The fact that you don’t issue more permits (for fireworks’ factories) does not mean that that type of work will stop. On the contrary, the advice we have is that it would go underground and become more dangerous as it will be carried out illegally.”
During The Times’ debate, Dr Muscat had said that he was prepared to carry out a drastic reform in fireworks legislation. Yesterday he reiterated that he will soon be meeting minsters involved to draw up a coherent policy on fireworks.
“I will be insisting on having, as soon as possible, the revision of laws and regulations controlling fireworks and fireworks’ factories – to enact recommendations made in last year’s report on the fireworks’ industry before another tragedy occurs,” he said.
Three years ago Dr Muscat wrote about how his father – one of the main importers of pyrotechnic materials in Malta – had lost part of the palm of his hand to fireworks.
Following last November’s tragedy, Labour MP Anton Refalo, now Minister for Gozo, had said in Parliament that politicians should consider banning fireworks or stop practices which saw young people go to fireworks factories “like they were going to a football match”, to avoid another tragedy.
However, pyrotechnic association lawyer Michael Falzon, then a Labour MP, backed fireworks manufacturers’ calls for more factory permits to be issued in Gozo and Comino.
In February of last year, a request to build a fourth fireworks factory in Għarb was turned down by Mepa, which stated that the proposed development was unjustified and was on a protected site of ecological importance.
In the meantime, legal provisions for placing high risk fireworks on the market are due to enter into force in July, as specified in an EU directive. The Malta Standards Authority regulates fireworks placed on the market and is responsible for the implementation of an EU directive.
Għarb fireworks explosions
2005: Explosion at Ta’ Nenu Fireworks Factory owned by Nenu Farrugia damaged eight of the 10 rooms but no one was injured.
2010: The Ta’ Nenu Fireworks factory is wiped out in an explosion, killing six people, including the owner and members of his family.
2012: Fontana Brothers Fireworks factory owned by George Gatt explodes, killing four, including the owner.