The town of Qrendi was eerily silent yesterday – it was in mourning following the tragic accident that took place in the early hours of yesterday morning. All flags were at half-mast and with the exception of a few small bars, most shops were closed.

People were walking about with a dazed look on their face because in such a small and close-knit community the death of five of its youngsters is a huge blow. There was no small talk going on and the whole village comforted the way only a community can, the families of the five youngsters.

The sense of shock was most palpable in Qrendi, but as people all over Malta awoke to the terrible news, a deep sense of shock enveloped the island. The country’s leaders, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca first, then Acting Prime Minister Louis Galea and Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant went to Qrendi to offer their condolences to the families of the five victims.

Early yesterday morning, a fatal traffic accident claimed the lives of five young people from Qrendi as the van they were in crashed into a wall in Mdina Road, Zebbug.

The Vauxhall Astra van was driven by 22-year-old Antoine Cassar, from Zurrieq, registered as living in San Lawrenz, Gozo, who lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall.

There were seven passengers in the van. The five victims – all from Qrendi – are Marco Abdilla, 17, Fabio Magro, 16, Oswald Vella, 18, Christian Camilleri 18 and David Sacco, 13.

The other two, both aged 17, one from Qrendi and the other from Zurrieq, suffered serious injuries and the driver light injuries. According to one of the victim’s parents, a mini-van which was supposed to pick up the boys from Rabat and take them home, never turned up and Mr Cassar offered to give them a lift.

A Subaru M70 driven by a 24 year old man from Zebbug was also involved in the accident. It is still unknown whether the impact with the Subaru vehicle happened before or after the van hit the wall.

Anthony Vella, father of Oswald Vella, calm but red-eyed, spoke about this terrible tragedy.

“I can’t describe what I am feeling at the moment. I am just trying to keep calm, to try and accept what has happened.

“I last saw Oswaldo yesterday evening, when I picked up him from private lessons in Kirkop. I drove him to Rabat where he had to meet his friends for a barbeque.

“Oswaldo had just turned 18 – he was such a good boy. Next week, he was going to start his second year at Junior College, as he wanted to go to University. Now, the doors of Junior College are closed to him forever.

“I wanted to donate his organs so that my boy could live through them, but the doctors told me it was not possible as his organs had died with him on the spot.

“The only thing that we can donate are his corneas. I am more than ready to give them so that my boy will still be able to see through someone else’s eyes,” he said as he dissolved into tears.

“I still cannot understand why it happened to my son, to my family. Usually I call Oswaldo before I turn in, but somehow last night I didn’t.

“It is not the roads which are dangerous but the drivers on those roads. Drivers have to be careful; especially on these new roads since most cars do not have a strong body to protect them from a crash.”

Qrendi residents described the five victims as good boys – polite and kind-hearted. “What is so terrible is that they died so young – we all knew them as babies and watched them grow up,” said one lady.

They were all active members in the community and formed part of the Socjeta Muzikali Ta’ Santa Marija. Apparently, the youth section of the band club had organised a barbeque on Friday night in the limits of Mdina.

“Five innocent boys from Qrendi died last night – and one of them was my son,” said Nicholas Abdilla, father of Marco Abdilla.

“He was the only boy in the family and our pride and joy.

“Friday was the second time he had gone out on his own – the night before he had gone to Paceville for the first time. They didn’t drink or go to Paceville every weekend – they loved going to the village feasts close by,” said the mother Antoinette Abdilla.

Marco was about to start his second year at MCAST. He was studying for a diploma in IT and used to play in the local band.

Marco’s parents appealed to all young people to take care of themselves and to lead a good life. “You always have to be responsible when driving and even more so if you have passengers in the car – life is so short,” said Mr Abdilla.

The funeral Mass will be held today at 10 at Qrendi parish church followed by a cortege to the Qrendi cemetery.