Updated - Adds that two men were arrested - Customs officers late last night seized a van containing fireworks after it was driven off the Sicily catamaran. 

The van was Maltese-registered. A 34-year-old man from Attard and a 63-year-old man from Zebbug, Gozo, were arrested. They are father and son.

File photo

The Customs officers stopped the van and asked the driver whether he had anything to declare. He said the van was only carrying carpets and pillows.

But a search revealed nine boxes, two sacks and two suitcases full of pyrotechnic material which, all included, amounted to 4,182 firework items. 

The army and the police were informed and the duty magistrate is holding an inquiry. 

The incident recalls the case, 31 years ago, when five soldiers and two policemen died when illegal fireworks exploded as they were being transported on an AFM patrol boat for dumping at sea. 

The explosion happened near Comino, destroying the bow section of the patrol boat.

In 2010, after a fireworks factory explosion in Gharb, Gozo Channel said no fireworks are carried on its ferries.