Two men were injured, one of them critically, in an explosion at a Żebbuġ garage only a few hours after another man was slightly hurt when a room at a fireworks factory blew up in Kirkop.

The Żebbug blast took place at about 3 p.m. when a 26-year-old and a 55-year-old man, both from the village, were carrying out some works in a garage in St Martin Street.

Sources said the men were cutting an empty, standard, metal 45-gallon tank, probably used to store chemicals. It is believed they were using a blow torch that may have ignited fumes in the tank which then caused an explosion.

The 26-year-old suffered serious burns, including to the face. The other man was also hurt but the extent of his injuries had not yet been established by yesterday evening.

Earlier, at 11 a.m., an explosion occurred at a workshop in the St Joseph Fireworks Factory in Kirkop, slightly injuring Leonard Camilleri. Mr Camilleri was standing right outside it when he noticed something was wrong and ran away.

Magisterial inquiries were held into both cases and police are carrying out further investigations.