A powerful explosion followed by a series of smaller blasts rocked the Magħtab area early on Monday morning after the Ta' Lourdes fireworks factory exploded, sending a thick plume of white and grey smoke high into the sky.

A police spokesman told the media that at present there are no indications that anyone was injured. But firefighters are stull scouring the area.

No fireworks enthusiasts were on the site of the blast at the time of the explosion, the police said. All have been contacted by the person who is responsible for the fireworks factory, the police said.

Two men who were working in fields nearby were slightly injured by debris and were taken to hospital to be also treated for shock. The men are aged 67 and 47, and both are from St Paul's Bay. 

The blast was heard at around 6.25am, with residents across several localities reporting that their homes shook from the force of the explosion. A column of smoke was visible from areas around Naxxar and Magħtab.

A spokesman for the Civil Protection Department confirmed that the incident involved a fireworks factory in the Salini area. He said emergency services had been informed that people were on site at the time of the explosion, although this was still being verified.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud is leading an inquiry.

The incident occurred a day after the announcement of the general election result, recalling two other deadly explosions that took place shortly after election outcomes were declared.

In March 1992, a mother and her baby were killed when a powerful explosion in a photography shop caused an apartment block and the Paola Labour Party club to collapse. In March 2008, a woman died when her apartment collapsed after illegally manufactured fireworks exploded in an adjacent garage. A man handling the fireworks was also killed.

The Malta Youth in Agricaulture Foundation Foundation said that while it is relieved that, according to information available so far, no lives were lost, "we must also recognise the impact that such events have beyond the immediate human danger. Behind the visible damage to buildings and infrastructure, there are also farming families, breeders, and animals who suffer the consequences."

Over the past hours, MaYA said it has been in contact with farmers and breeders in the surrounding area who have reported significant damage to their farms. These include structural damage, the loss of livestock, and serious impacts on animals affected by the force and stress caused by the explosions.

For farmers and breeders, animals are not simply numbers. They represent years of dedication, daily care, emotional commitment, and in many cases the livelihood of entire families. Such losses cannot be measured only in financial terms.

"We therefore appeal to the relevant authorities to make themselves available to affected farming families as soon as the area is declared safe, assess the damages suffered, and provide the necessary assistance and support."

MaYA Foundation also thanks the emergency services and all those involved in responding to this incident.

During difficult moments like these, no affected community should feel forgotten - including the farmers, breeders, and animals whose stories often remain unheard, MAYA said.