An unseasonal and unexpected storm over Malta this afternoon has disrupted flights over the island and caused havoc at the village feasts. It has also led to the suspension of the Trade Fair.

A flight from Gatwick was diverted to Catania while a flight from Frankfurt was diverted to Tunis, a spokesperson for Malta International Airport said. 

Meanwhile this afternoon's flights to Budapest, Brussels, Heathrow, Paris and Frankfurt have been delayed until the storm subsides. 

The heavy rain and thunder also disrupted preparations for the Qormi and Siggiewi feasts. The deluge sent festa enthusiasts into overdrive to try to shelter the fireworks from the water.

In a post on Facebook, the St George’s Fireworks Factory, which is planning a much-anticipated pyrotechnics display this weekend using a 13-storey tower crane, said that they had suffered a lot of damage. They said they were doing their utmost for the show to take place and were finding a lot of support from other firework factories.

 

In a statement this afternoon, the Malta Trade Fair said the fair will not open for safety reasons this evening due t o the bad weather. 

The fair will reopen tomorrow, by which time the bad weather is expected to subside. 

The storm impacted a number of flights from MIA.The storm impacted a number of flights from MIA.

Siggiewi this afternoon.Siggiewi this afternoon.

Photo: Mark BorgPhoto: Mark Borg

In Marsa. Photo: Karl SalibaIn Marsa. Photo: Karl Saliba

 

Valletta. Photo: Martin Galea de GiovanniValletta. Photo: Martin Galea de Giovanni

 

Fishermen Street, Marsa.

 

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