Malta Fireworks Factory Blast Injures Two and Kills Livestock

A powerful explosion at a fireworks factory in Malta’s Salina area on Monday morning damaged nearby buildings and farms and killed livestock. The blast was followed by a series of smaller detonations, sending a thick column of smoke over the site.

Police said all workers at the plant and residents in the surrounding area had been accounted for. Two men, aged 47 and 67, who were working in nearby fields, were taken to hospital with shock and minor injuries.

The explosion was heard across much of the country. Residents reported broken windows, damaged cars and shaking buildings. Authorities evacuated the surrounding area as a precaution, while smaller blasts could still be heard several hours after the initial explosion.

The MaYA Foundation, which works with farmers, reported extensive damage to nearby farms, including structural damage and the loss of livestock. It said the losses were not only financial, but reflected years of work and care.

The same factory was also hit by an explosion in May 2018, when two men were seriously injured.

(timesofmalta, bak)