Using inferior quality materials and igniters, to cut costs, are suspected to have caused the spate of firework factory explosions over the last year, according to the Fireworks Inspectorate in the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry.

Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, in the wake of the most recent explosion that tragically claimed the life of yet another fireworks enthusiast from Mosta earlier this month, Servolo Delicata from the inspectorate points out that there were multiple factors that triggered the fireworks factory explosions in recent years, and that the increased use of materials of inferior quality could very well be one of the reasons.

Moreover, Mr Delicata believes that the 13 August blast, which claimed the life of Mario Dimech at the Dwejra fireworks factory, on the outskirts of Mosta, could be the first to have been caused by igniters.

Concern over the quality of materials being used in the manufacture of fireworks has been growing among enthusiasts, others close to the production process have told this newspaper. Most worrying is the use of a metal fuel dubbed in Malta as ‘magal’ –derived from the word magnalum and its abbreviations of Mag.Al or Mg/Al.

The product is an alloy of magnesium and aluminium and is a metal fuel used in pyrotechnics that produces sparks and bright light, industry experts explain.

The alloy is imported from India or China but it is also imported from Germany. The Indian and Chinese imports are cheaper but are of an inferior quality. Since China is the top supplier of magnesium, it is not clear whether the German product is totally manufactured in Germany or if it is re-exported from Germany to Malta.

“It is possible that fireworks factories are using materials of inferior quality or rather of unknown quality, but it is not just the Mg/Al that is worrying,” Mr Delicata says, adding that Mg/Al is one of the most dangerous chemicals but not the most dangerous in use.

“I often suggest that coated Mg/Al be used instead of normal Mg/Al. The same goes for potassium perclorate and aluminium. Coated materials are safer but are also more expensive, but how could such price differences be compared with the cost in terms of human life?”

Many are the factors that have triggered fireworks factory explosions in recent years and inferior materials could be one of the reasons, he added.

Over the past 12 months or so there have been explosions at factories in Zejtun, Ghaxaq, Qormi and two in Mosta. But, Mr Delicata observes, there is no single common denominator between the explosions.

Flash powder to make ‘beraq’ was being used when the St Joseph Fireworks factory of Ghaxaq exploded on 25 September 2009. No one was injured. The same flash powder was being used when the St Catherine’s fireworks factory of Zejtun exploded, leaving one person dead, last May, Mr Delicata believes.

The factory explosion at Qormi’s St Sebastian factory that claimed two lives in February was probably triggered by hammering on gerbes (fire fountains) in a room full of ready fireworks.

A similar situation unfolded in the Mosta St Mary fireworks factory in the limits of Bidnija last October, an explosion that left a man struggling for his life for three months until he eventually succumbed to his injuries.

The cause of the 13 August blast at the Dwejra fireworks factory, just two days before the Mosta festa, is still unknown. But Mr Delicata suspects the sole victim was probably carrying fireworks at the time when one the petards fell to the ground and triggered off a much bigger explosion. The victim was found in the factory’s storeroom, indicating he most likely was not making fireworks at the time.

That particular explosion, Mr Delicata points out, was probably the first that was catalysed by igniters.

He comments, “What do we know about electronic igniters, for example? Electronic igniters act like matches. They are connected to a computerised system known as Fire One, which started being used to set off fireworks electronically some years ago. These are also sometimes imported from China but do we know anything about their safety or how they should be handled.”

Mr Delicata’s role in the inspectorate is not of a policing nature but rather educative. He feels that a think tank to monitor recent developments in the area should be created so that fireworks manufacturers learn from the mistakes while keeping abreast of the latest developments.

At the moment, the inspectorate has no say on the quality of materials used by fireworks factories but, Mr Delicata confirmed, the ministry is exploring its options in terms of beginning to analyse the materials used and how they can be tested.

Asked about the ‘top secret’ recipes used in the manufacture of fireworks, trade secrets kept under strict lock and key, Mr Delicata said he is not so concerned about the actual recipes because it is only three to four chemicals that are used in their manufacture.

“I have no doubts on the recipes, because if spoken to with respect, fireworks manufacturers tell you everything. I am more concerned about the quality of the materials used,” he says.

He also referred to the fact that although the number of operating fireworks factories have gone down over the last five years, the amount of fireworks manufactured has nevertheless increased.

Permits for the Birkirkara fireworks factory and those for the privately-owned Briffa Fireworks Factory in the limits of Xwieki were not renewed because residents in the vicinity questioned the distance between the residences in the area and the fireworks factories. The Birkirkara fireworks factory had claimed the lives of five fireworks enthusiasts when it exploded in 2007.

With regard to the Balzan fireworks factory, the owners no longer wanted the premises to be used as a fireworks factory after the licensee passed away.

The concentration of fireworks in factories is also growing, Mr Delicata pointed out, observing that the more materials there are in each factory, the larger the possible explosions would be.

Fireworks manufacturers, he recommends, need to learn to work on small batches of explosive material, away from areas where fireworks or large amounts of explosive materials are stored so as to help prevent more tragedies.

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