Two men hospitalised after Ta’ Lourdes fireworks factory in Magħtab explodes on Monday morning

“I was in Kennedy Grove with the dogs when I heard the first bang. At first I thought it was a gas cylinder exploding. Then, about five minutes later, there were three more in quick succession.

“The blasts were so powerful I actually felt my hair move from the pressure wave, and all the trees around us shook. My dogs completely lost it. I’ve never been so scared in my life — for a moment I genuinely thought we were being bombed.”

The witness also reported visible damage in the surrounding area, including smashed windows and loose façade material dislodged from at least one building.

Police, the Civil Protection Department, the Armed Forces of Malta, and medical staff remain on site to ensure the area’s safety, and the public is asked to avoid it.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud is leading the inquiry.

Leaders react to the accident

Political leaders and the President of the European Parliament reacted with concern on Monday morning following the explosion at the Ta’ Lourdes fireworks factory in Magħtab, expressing solidarity with those affected and praising the emergency services responding at the scene.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said his thoughts were with those affected, adding that officials and workers from the country’s authorities had been dispatched to the scene immediately to assist.

Opposition leader Alex Borg thanked the security forces responding in the Salini area, describing the blast as one that had “shocked the country.” He said his thoughts went to all those affected by the explosion’s force.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said she was struck by an explosion that had “shocked our country,” and extended her thoughts to residents in the surrounding area. She reserved special thanks for Civil Protection members and all those on the ground “in these difficult circumstances.”