One man dead, two slightly injured in explosion at Kirkop St Joseph fireworks factory

Updated at 1:39pm with medical condition of those hospitalised

One man has died and two sustained slight injuries in a large explosion at the St Joseph fireworks factory in Kirkop on Saturday morning.

In a post on Facebook, the San Gużepp club said that Leonard Camilleri, 64, who had previously served as the factory's licencee, had died in the explosion.

Camilleri had retired from making fireworks some years ago but had recently returned to his hobby.

The explosion sent a large plume of white smoke into the air that was visible from various parts of the island

Nardu iż-Żurrieqi, as Camilleri was known by those closest to him, had previously injured his hand in another explosion at the same fireworks factory on 13 February 2012. 

Saturday's blast happened shortly after 7am at the fireworks factory, which is situated near the airport.

At the time of the blast there were people working inside the building. Soon after the explosion it became apparent that one person remained unaccounted for, while others were injured in the blast.

The police later confirmed that Camilleri died on the spot, while another man who was inside the fireworks factory, aged 45, was slightly injured. Two other men aged 63 and 72 from Żurrieq who were tilling their fields in the vicinity were also hospitalised. The 72-year-old sustained no injuries while the 63-year-old was certified as suffering from slight injuries.

The massive explosion sent a large plume of white smoke into the air that was visible from several parts of the island, while the blast rocked the southern areas. People living in Żurrieq described to MaltaToday, a massive blast that shook the glass panes of their windows.

The Civil Protection Department was on site along with medical teams from Mater Dei Hospital. Police and the Armed Forces of Malta bomb disposal unit were also on site. Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit is leading an inquiry and police investigations are ongoing.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri confirmed in a Facebook post that the explosion took place at the St Joseph fireworks factory.

Julia Farrugia Portelli, minister for voluntary organisations, and Miriam Dalli, minister for environment, energy and enterprise, confirmed in separate Facebook posts that Camilleri had lost his life in the explosion.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici expressed shock at the Nardu's death: "Our hearts have been shattered by our friend Nardu's loss."