A massive explosion ripped through the Ta'Lourdes fireworks factory on Triq tal Qaghdi, Maghtab, Malta, around 6:30 AM on 1/6. The shockwaves from the blast traveled for kilometers, shaking buildings and shattering windows in multiple areas.
No workers were present at the factory when the explosion occurred. Two men in a nearby field sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.
A resident walking dogs recounted the terrifying moments: "I was at Kennedy Grove with my dogs when I heard the first explosion. Initially, I thought a gas cylinder had exploded. About 5 minutes later, three more blasts echoed continuously."
"The series of explosions was so powerful that I felt my hair lifted by the shockwaves, trees around us shook, glass shattered, and one house had its facade blown off. My dogs panicked. I have never been so scared. In that moment, I truly thought we were being bombed," the resident added.
Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that authorities are actively providing support. Security forces have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion, urging residents to stay away from the scene. Opposition leader Alex Borg described the blast as "nation-shaking."
The European Parliament expressed concern. President Roberta Metsola, a Maltese citizen, said she was shocked by the powerful explosion and sent her condolences to residents in the vicinity.
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The fireworks factory exploded in Malta, southern Europe. Photo: MT |
Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean, located between Italy and North Africa, with a population of about half a million people across an area of only 316 km2. The country joined the EU in 2004 and began using the euro in 2008.
Fireworks are a long-standing cultural tradition in Malta, linked to village festivals and religious activities. However, the nation has recorded numerous serious accidents at fireworks factories. Times of Malta reported that fireworks-related fatalities have been documented since at least 1882, including a 2007 explosion at the St Helen factory near Gharghur that killed 5 people.
Duc Trung (According to Malta Today, AP, Euronews)
