The secretary of St Joseph Band Club of Ghaxaq has explained how an enthusiast was injured yesterday while letting off fireworks for the village feast.

Reno Busuttil said that the accident happened just after 9.30pm when George Farrugia, 47, was about to fire a firework.

He placed the firework into the firing tube which had been used several times. For some reason, the firework then burst prematurely on the ground.

Mr Farrugia suffered extensive burns to his right arm but surgeons managed to save it for him during emergency surgery.

He is now recovering well.

Mr Farrugia holds a licence to let off fireworks and had been doing so for some 20 years. 

As a sign of respect, the fireworks programme was stopped after the incident and the late evening band march was called off.

Today's xalata was also cancelled.

Listen to audio recording below.

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