Update 2 | Four injured, one seriously, in ‘huge’ Marsaxlokk fireworks explosion

Two men injured in Marsaxlokk fireworks blast receiving treatment at hospital, two suffering from extreme shock released • CPD officials comb through remains of exploded fireworks store, police investigating cause of explosion

Last updated on 31 July 2016, 1:22pm

2 min read

Four people were injured in a fireworks explosion at Marsaxlokk, yesterday evening.

The explosion, described by eyewitnesses as “huge” and “akin to a fireball”, occurred at around 9:30pm tal-Maghluq at Delimara, limits of Marsaxlokk, close to the power station.

A 58-year-old man from Zurrieq was seriously injured in the blast and is receiving treatment at Mater Dei’s Intensive Treatment Unit. Three other men, a 21-year-old youth from St Julian’s, and two aged 47 and 55 respectively from Zurrieq, suffered slight injuries and were hospitalised on Saturday night.

Civil protection and police officers at the explosion site (Photo:Chris Mangion)

AFM personnel searching the fields for unexploded petards (Photo: Chris Mangion)

Civil protection and police officers at the explosion site (Photo:Chris Mangion)

Fireworks display seen form explosion site (Photo:Chris Mangion)

Two of those slightly injured were released on Sunday morning, while the other man is currently receiving treatment at Mater Dei Hospital.

Sources who spoke to MaltaToday said two of those slightly injured were suffering from extreme shock, while the other man reportedly experienced hearing loss and ringing in his ears following the explosion.

Medics and ambulance crews on site at #MXlokk: 4 being taken to Mater Dei #MDH with blast injuries
— Chris Fearne (@chrisfearne) July 30, 2016

Those injured work at the Madonna tal-Karmnu Fireworks Factory in Zurrieq.

The blast occurred after a large amount of fireworks that were going to be let off in celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Pompei and an adjacent fireworks store exploded simultaneously.

The resulting explosion resulted in a huge fire and sent a huge plum of dark smoke in the air.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known, with police still on the scene on Sunday afternoon in an effort to determine the cause.

A number of ambulances, fire engines, and police were on site to cordon off the area and treat the injured. Members of the Civil Protection Department and members of the Bomb Disposal combed through the surrounding fields in search of unexploded petards, while investigators examined what remained of the exploded store.

I thank all emergency services, @MaltaPolice @CPD_MT,medical teams for their work at #Mxlokk- Solidarity with the Marsaxlokk Community
— Marie-Louise Coleiro (@presidentMT) July 30, 2016

The blast was felt by residents at Marsaxlokk and neighbouring Birzebbugia, and even by Marsascala residents.

A number of cars parked close to the fields where the explosion occurred were covered with blast and were severely damaged while glass panes at neighbouring residences were broken.

Sources told MaltaToday that after confirming that no one had been critically injured in the blast, the Marsaxlokk parish priest and the village’s band clubs agreed that the feast celebrations go ahead as planned. Consequently, the fireworks display on Saturday, as well as the celebrations on Sunday, went ahead as scheduled.