Fireworks factory blast victims foot the bill one month after explosion

More than a month after a Salina fireworks factory explosion rocked parts of Malta, the families and businesses most affected by the blast are still picking up the pieces, with many having to foot the bill – at least so far – for broken windows, damaged homes, cars and fields.

A government spokesman said the government is waiting for the conclusion of the magisterial inquiry into the explosion “before considering further assistance, in accordance with the law”.

People impacted by the explosion who spoke to Times of Malta said they have so far had to pay for repairs themselves. Many are now in contact with lawyers and insurance companies in the hope of receiving refunds, compensation or financial support.

The damage was caused when Lourdes Fireworks Factory, in Salina, exploded on June 1 at about 6.30am. The massive blast caused damage to farms and houses nearby – shattering windows, damaging walls and cars and even killing livestock.

Horses in nearby stables were injured by stones propelled into the air by the blast and animals in the Salini Birdpark died, due to the blast.

But if and how those affected will get financial compensation is unclear. Times of Malta had reported that Lourdes fireworks factory was not insured despite a number of previous incidents at the site. The same fireworks factory suffered a similar, albeit smaller, explosion in May 2018, leaving two people seriously injured.

Insurance companies said they received dozens of damage claims following the powerful explosion at Salina. Many of them were from uninsured people calling to get information on how to proceed and trying to find the insurance company for the fireworks factory.

The injury is not only financial but also emotional

But those heavily impacted spoke about how they cannot wait to start fixing their homes and businesses.

“So far no one has come to speak to us. I had to replace the broken windows in my house and my car and get on with life. I cannot wait. The expense is unexpected,” one resident said.

Farmer Victor Camilleri was in his field a few metres away from the explosion at the Lourdes Fireworks Factory in Salina. Photo: Clive Xuereb

Antonella Bonnici, whose father was injured while working in a nearby field, said the family’s land sustained big damage.

Her father, 67-year-old farmer Victor Camilleri, was working in a field neighbouring the fireworks factory when it exploded.

Camilleri had recounted how he took shelter in a small room, which then collapsed around him. He was one of two people hospitalised following the blast. His 47-year-old son was treated for shock.

The explosion also caused significant damage to a nearby cow farm, which lost livestock and suffered extensive damage to its buildings and cow sheds. Following the blast, the owners of the Salina farm appealed for help to rebuild their business.

The farm shed at Vella Farm was pierced by large rocks that killed some cows during the fireworks factory explosion. Photo: James Vella/Facebook

“When you see everything you worked for in your entire life being impacted and destroyed before your eyes, the injury is not only financial but also emotional,” owner James Vella wrote in a Facebook post, urging the authorities to take into account both the material and emotional toll on affected families.

Vella, whose farm is located three fields away from the Lourdes Fireworks Factory, said the tragedy had devastated families who had spent years building their businesses.

Speaking to the media shortly after the explosion, Prime Minister Robert Abela said the government would support the affected families. He said that he would publish the outcome of the inquiry if cleared by the magistrate.

Asked for an update, a government spokesperson said: “The government has provided support to affected farmers as part of precautionary food safety measures. Compensation will be paid for produce that was destroyed or collected for sampling and laboratory analysis. Such actions ensured that the necessary food safety assessments could be undertaken to protect public health and help mitigate the financial impact on the affected farmers.

“A magisterial inquiry into the case is still underway. The government will await the conclusion of this process before considering further assistance, in accordance with the law.”