An explosion occurred in a fireworks factory in the limits of Mosta on Saturday afternoon, injuring two men.

No major injuries were reported after the blast, which took place just after 3.15pm, the police said. 

The police said that 11 people were on site at the time of the blast. All of them were accounted for.

Two of them, aged 25 and 29, both from Mosta, needed hospital treatment, one for burns, and the other after falling one storey.

Police spokesman Brando Pisani (above) said that it is likely that fireworks that were on the outside of the buildings exploded first. The cause of the blast is however still to be established.

Earlier, as Mater Dei Hospital was being prepped up for the eventuality that it needs to treat casualties, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri had said that three men had been slightly injured in the blast.

Apart from severely damaging the factory buildings, the explosion also caused fires in nearby fields. The area is known as ta' Dwejra, and lies between Mosta and Mgarr.

A second explosion was heard after 4pm, and the possibility of further blasts for a time prevented fire-fighters from approaching the site.

The police cordoned off the area leading to the factory and fields nearby to keep onlookers away.

A drone was used to give rescuers a better indication of the situation on the site before members of the AFM'S Explosives Ordnance could carry out their investigation.

 

The moment of the second explosion - Video Neil Camilleri

 

The loud blasts were heard from several parts of Malta and a large plume of smoke was visible from several areas.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella is leading an inquiry.

In 2010, a man had died in an explosion at the same factory just two days before Mosta celebrated the feast of the Assumption.

Mario Dimech, known as il-Bigillu, was the sole victim of the explosion which occurred at around 3pm on 13 August that year.

 

 

Photos below: Stephanie Chetcuti