Confetti cannon used during village feasts are now being certified by engineers under police supervision, according to a bandsman who was hurt exactly a year ago when one exploded in Gudja.

Bjorn Callus, 26, was hospitalised, suffering face, neck and shoulder injuries after being struck by shards of metal from a burst cylinder that was part of the makeshift air cannon. But the episode has not dampened the spirits of the musician who will be back at the Santa Marija celebrations today playing his euphonium.

Mr Callus said there was only one incident in the past year that left him apprehensive, which is when he saw a group of children near a confetti cannon.

“I don’t want to mention the place. I uploaded a photo to Facebook and it ended there,” he said.

Seven persons were hurt in last year's incident, including 16-year-old Alexander Bigeni,who still needs to go to hospital every now and then, according to Mr Callus.

Besides physiotherapy, the teenager has had to undergo various operations on his legs.

Mr Callus said the incident had raised awareness about the dangers of makeshift confetti cannon and people have started consciously keeping a good distance from them during the village feasts.