AD calls for limits on chemicals used for fireworks explosions

Alternattiva Demokratika has called for a revision in the quota of firework material for each factory in Malta and a reduction of the amount of fireworks manufactured.

The suggestions comes in the wake of an independent inquiry commissioned by the government, which found amongst other revelations, that Maltese pyrotechnic producers were using excessively volatile chemical mixtures that are banned in other countries.

The commission is calling for a testing centre to test chemicals, and the banning of the mixture of potassium chlorate with metals, and limits on using potassium percolate - a high-strength propellant used in rocket fuel.

Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson on Energy, Industry and Transport said: "The press has reported that it is indeed the particular dangerous chemical mixtures which have caused the devastating explosions. Others have ignored these incidents, because of electoral considerations on some districts. Excessive risk taking should be controlled because of the lack of space in this country.

"Regarding the recommendation to increase firework factories in order to spread dispersal, the report does not take into account the lack of space and land use issues in Malta, and assumes that the amount of fireworks manufactured will remain the same. If the current factories are already over producing these are increasing the danger and risks."

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson called on government to implement the report's main recommendations immediately. He said: "Any discussions should lead to a strict timeframe for implementation of the recommendations. No attempts at derailing the implementation should be tolerated."

Two fireworks explosions in Mosta and Gharb claimed the lives of seven persons - including a pregnant woman - in the space of seven weeks between August and September 2010.

This is over and above the two lives lost in Qormi, whose bodies were recovered from the Saint Sebastian fireworks factory in February.

In May, another life was lost in an explosion in Saint Catherine's fireworks factory in Marsaxlokk.

Emotions reached a peak during a televised funeral of five of the six victims of the fireworks factory explosion - the biggest funeral and most emotive in Gozo since the sinking of a luzzu at Hondoq ir-Rummien almost 62 years ago.

The Gharb local council reacted to the tragedy by holding a referendum which rejected the development of a new fireworks factory in Gharb proposed by its former deputy mayor.

In an interview, Labour spokesperson for Justice Michael Falzon and legal consultant of the Malta Pyrotechnic Association argued that to improve safety, MEPA has to issue more permits for new fireworks factories in the countryside.

This contrasted with MEPA's decision to turn down four ODZ fireworks applications, one in Tas-Sanap in Munxar Gozo and another three in Rabat.