Alfred Cassar, the second man involved in the St Catherine’s Fireworks explosion, died yesterday as a result of his injuries after 11 days in the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU). Following another accident yesterday, 51-year Anthony Farrugia is in critical condition after he was injured by a chemical reaction that took place in a fireworks factory in Lija at around 2.40pm.

In a statement, the police said that Mr Farrugia is in a critical condition after he was injured following a chemical reaction that took place at St Michael’s fireworks factory in Lija.

Members of the Civil Protection Department and the police were immediately called on site. Duty Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna appointed several experts to help him in the inquiry.

Mr Cassar, 46, from Zurrieq was injured in an explosion that took place on Thursday 15 November at the St Catherine’s Fireworks Factory in Zurrieq.

The explosion also claimed the life of another man from Zurrieq, 62-year-old Zaren Barbara, who died on the spot.

In June, another five men lost their lives in an explosion at the St Helen’s fireworks factory in Birkirkara. Between 1997 and the first half of 2006, 14 people died and another 38 were injured in accidents caused directly or indirectly by fireworks.