Colin Muscat, 36, who was critically injured in the fireworks factory explosion near Salina on Saturday, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

Another man was seriously injured in the afternoon blast while four others escaped with minor injuries and were treated by paramedics at the scene.

The blast, at about 3pm on Saturday, created a big mushroom-like cloud seen over a wide distance. People in the area reported one big blast and a number of smaller ones.

The fireworks factory was used by the Għaqda Piroteknika 11 ta' Frar of San Ġwann. Mr Muscat was one of its most experienced members. 

In November last year a man was grievously injured in an accident near a fireworks factory in Għaxaq. The 29-year-old was burning waste connected to the manufacturing of fireworks in the area known as tal-Garda. 

In July 2016 four people were injured in a fireworks explosion at Marsaxlokk  where the feast of Our Lady of Pompei was being celebrated.

A large amount of fireworks went off on the ground close to the power station, causing the explosion.