Mournful Friday 13th for Mosta pyrotechnics enthusiast who died in factory explosion

MaltaToday's Miriam Dalli was on the site of the tragic explosion, where entrepreneur Zaren Vassallo - president of the 15 August festa committee -  said Dimech was in the fireworks factory in the afternoon.

Earlier on in the day, factory workers were at the fireworks factory carrying out some work in preparation for the Santa Marija feast. The blast, at Dwejra, outside Mosta, was heard at precisely 3 pm.

According to Mario Farrugia, a pyrotechnic enthusiast who knew Dimech, they were to meet at the factory, located in the Dwejra promontory of Mgarr, at 3pm to prepare the fireworks for their evening launch.

"The external feasts for Mosta, which were scheduled for 15 August's Santa Marija feast, have been cancelled," MaltaToday's Miriam Dalli said. "The scene here is simply a wasteland that has been totally flattened by the blast. I have also seen that a member of the Civil Protection Department injured his leg during the rescue mission."

Emergency services were rushed to Mosta following power explosions that ripped through the 15 August fireworks factory. In all, four powerful explosions were heard while a huge white cloud rose high into the sky. Buildings around the area shook, while window panes were smashed in a radius of four kilometers away.

People on site included Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca and Archbishop Paul Cremona, acting Prime Minister Tonio Borg, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said and MP Edwin Vassallo, PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, PN whip David Agius and PL MP Michael Farrugia.

The explosions were heard as far as Sliema and Valletta.