The 26th anniversary of a powerful explosion that killed seven soldiers and policemen on a patrol boat while they were transporting illegally manufactured fireworks for dumping offshore was marked this morning at the AFM's Maritime Squadron Base in Haywharf.

The fireworks exploded on the deck of the patrol boat off Comino, leaving only one badly-injured survivor, Private Emmanuel Montesin. The fireworks had been seized by the police at Zabbar.

Private Montesin, now 44 and living in Paola, had managed to steer the boat to Comino's Sta Marija Bay.

The servicemen who perished in the incident were Bombardier Joseph Pace, 36 of Santa Venera, Gunner William Simpson, 36 of Lija, Private Anthony Vella, 20 of Ghajnsielem, Police Sergeant Saviour Muscat, 30 of Birkirkara and Police Constable Joseph Hare, 24 of Sliema.

The bodies of Bombardier Francis Borg, 36 of Hamrun and Private Anthony Farrugia, 27 of Zejtun, were never found.

September 8, the day after the incident, was declared a national day of mourning. The coffins were brought over from Gozo on AFM patrolboats, and were carried together in a large military funeral attended by thousands of people.