A chemical expert says that letting off fireworks from Marsaxlokk is no safety hazard to the proposed floating gas storage facility, unless this is done in the midst of an approaching gas cloud.

Neither did a fireworks factory located about three kilometres from the Delimara power station pose any risks and so it would not make sense to relocate it, the expert added.

Fears that the gas-powered plant might lead to problems to fireworks enthusiasts were raised in Parliament when Opposition MP George Pullicino tabled a written question to Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi.

The distance of the fireworks complex from the proposed storage facility in the middle of the bay was, relatively speaking, enormous

In a one-line reply, Dr Mizzi said the decision on allowing petards to be let off from Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa would be taken by the competent authority.

This newspaper sought the expert opinion of Alfred Vella who, in 2011, had been commissioned by the government to study what was causing fireworks-related incidents that had led to a series of fatalities.

Prof. Vella said that, on paper, there were no risks in letting off petards because nobody would dare to do such a thing in the remote possibility of a gas leak. He pointed out that, in such a case, the white cloud formed by the liquefied gas below freezing temperatures would be clearly visible to the naked eye.

He did acknowledge, however, that people could be uncomfortable with having fireworks let off from Marsaxlokk in the wake of the controversy and perceptions surrounding the gas storage facility.

Regarding the proximity of the 25th November fireworks complex, situated in the area known as Tas-Silġ, Prof. Vella immediately quelled any safety concerns saying “this was not an issue”.

The distance of the fireworks complex from the proposed storage facility in the middle of the bay was, relatively speaking, “enormous”.

He pointed out that, throughout his career spanning more than 40 years, he had never come across a single incident in which the carrying distance of the blast caused by a fireworks factory explosion affected a radius wider than one kilometre.

Louis Tanti, secretary of the committee running the fireworks complex dedicated to the patron saint of Żejtun, denied that they had received any orders from the authorities to vacate the complex.