Concern has been expressed over the danger posed by transporting fireworks by truck, with one enthusiast warning that an “entire fireworks factory on wheels” some-times squeezes through some of Gozo’s narrow roads to reach its destination.

“In Għarb especially, we spend a good 10 minutes driving through the village’s narrow streets. If a dog happens to cross the road, you have to stop,” fireworks enthusiast Joseph Mangion said.

The Farrugia Brothers fireworks factory destroyed on the outskirts of the quaint village last Sunday supplied fireworks to many parts of Gozo. Its destruction means that more fireworks will need to be transported to Gozo from Malta, he said.

Although Mr Mangion said the situation in Malta was better, since it was easier to use bypass routes, Gozo posed a bigger problem because of narrow streets.

According to enthusiasts, fireworks are usually transported during quiet times of day, either early in the morning or late at night, and the fireworks trucks are escorted by police.

However, some enthusiasts admitted that at times, the police escort rides in the truck with them, rendering him practically useless. “Ideally there should be a police escort in a separate vehicle behind and in front of the trucks,” one fireworks maker said. Fireworks are always packed securely to endure the bumps along Malta’s roads, he said.

A solution, he said, would be to carry the load on a motorless barge and tow the explosives for the longest distance possible. This would keep casualties to a bare minimum should anything happen, Mr Mangion said.

In September 1984, six soldiers escorted by two policemen left the Maritime Battery for Comino aboard a patrol boat to dispose of illegally-made fireworks. Only one soldier survived the blast onboard.

Last Sunday’s fireworks factory explosion put the transportation issue under the spotlight with some readers questioning whether fireworks were actually transported on board the Gozo ferry.

Gozo Channel has reassured passengers that the fireworks destined for the Għarb factory were not carried on its ferries.

Lawyer Georg Sapiano, who has campaigned for fireworks safety, warned about the constant dangers of this national pastime.

“Many hazardous materials, like fuels and liquid gas, are carried through our roads, and they are transported in vehicles and containers that conform to international safety standards. Does the same apply to the vehicles that transport fireworks?”

Dr Sapiano said that the thrust of political action up to date seems to be characterised by the desire to tread with caution, lest the fireworks makers be upset.

“It should really be the contrary: upset the fireworks manufacturers if necessary, in the interest of caution,” he said.