Updated 10.50am
Four people were injured in a fireworks explosion at Marsaxlokk yesterday evening, where the feast of Our Lady of Pompei was being celebrated.
Sources said that a large amount of fireworks went off on the ground close to the power station at around 9.30pm, causing the explosion.
A 58-year-old Żurrieq man was seriously injured in the blast, while two other Żurrieq men, aged 47 and 55 respectively, as well as a 21-year-old St Julians man were slightly hurt. All were taken to Mater Dei hospital for treatment.
Two of those injured were discharged from hospital this morning. The other two are still receiving treatment, with one of them in intensive care.
A woman who was dining at a restaurant nearby described the explosion as "huge" and said it was felt by all patrons.
Reader Kimberly Mifsud was dining at the Waterpolo Club and taking photos of the fireworks when the blast went off.
She told Times of Malta she realised something was wrong because of the strength of the blast.
Another reader said the blast broke glass panes at the restaurant they were dining at.
"Exactly at 9.39pm I saw the most beautiful firework I've ever seen, but it came from sea level not above in the sky," yet another reader recalled. "Then half a second later a great blast shook us all, it was so big that the chair next to me ended up closer."
Some vehicles were also reportedly damaged.
A number of ambulances, fire engines, members of the Bomb Disposal and Rapid Intervention units, as well as Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela were on site.
A police investigation is underway.
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Photo: Kimberly Mifsud
Photo: Kimberly Mifsud
Photo: Marietta Lanzon