Highest number of deaths by fireworks in the last 30 years

Regulation means we have too look closer at fireworks manufacturing.

Evarist Bartolo 12 September 2010, 12:00am

1 min read

Research carried out by Edward Attard shows that since 1882, 169 persons, including nine children died in explosions caused by fireworks in Malta and Gozo. These explosions occurred either in the workshops where the fireworks were being manufactured, or when they were being transported or when being let off.

This year alone so far 10 persons died in firework factory explosions, an all time high because seven of the 12 who died in 1984 were transporting the explosives near the island of Comino, the other five died in factory explosions.

Attard gives these statistics for the last 30 years: there were 65 deaths, 24 of them in Gozo.

1980 - 2; 1981 - 1; 1982 -3; 1984 - 12 (7 of them near Comino); 1985 - 1, 1986 - none; 1987 - 2; 1989 -2; 1990 - 1; 1991 -1; 1992 - 3; 1993 - 2; 1994 - 1; 1995 - 1; 1996 - none; 1997 - 4; 1998 u 1999 - none; 2000 - 2; 2001 - none; 2002 - 1; 2003 - 1; 2004 - none; 2005 - 6; 2007- 8; 2008 - 2, 2009 -1; 2010 - 10.

So in these last 30 years there have only been five in which no fatalities took place.

Fireworks displays (the colourful ones, not the noisy bangs) are impressive and popular but the human cost we are paying is too high. As long as fireworks are going to continue to be manufactured in Malta and Gozo, we need serious regulations that are enforced stringently.

We must make sure that those who make fireworks and handle them are trained professionally and they must be tested continuously to obtain a license. The chemicals imported must be tested regularly.

Fireworks have a long tradition in Malta and there are those who are ready to put their lives at risk to continue this tradition. Better to have fireworks manufactured in seriously regulated places than to make firework factories illegal, pushing this activity into the black economy.

We cannot look the other way while so many people die.

Evarist Bartolo is Minister for Foreign Affairs

More from Evarist Bartolo

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The figures mentioned in a blog by Everist Bartolo may look alarming but I do not think so. You only have to look in the daily tabloids and notice the alarming number of accidents that happen around the world. Take trains ,for an instant. They happen regularly, with India and Pagistan having horrendious accidents. Air disasters happen regularly these days while accidents at sea are common. I am in full agreement that strict regulations regarding fireworks explosions must be taken. Fireworks experts must be hired by the Goverment to ensure that the risk of an explosion is minimal. It does not stop their. People who wish to engage in the risky manufacure of fireworks must pass a stringent test. Spot checks must be undertaking by compitent officers who visit fireworks factories at random. Heavy fines must be implemented if rules are broken. Unlicensed persons found in a fireworks factory are sent to prisons, with no clemancy what so ever. If points are observed, then the risk of a severe explosion is averted. Ocourse if an accident, does happen it is considered as truly bad luck. Lets not stop these tradiitions which are so colourful and a pleasure to watch. We should stop abuse, most of all, and punish incompitent people who, not only are at risk to themselves, but a severe risk to others around them. Tas- City

Clayton Saliba •

Under EU HSE, any commercial activities, particularly those considered hazardous, must be under control of local authorities, to ensure reduction and mitigation of risks. In so far as I can find out, the Dellitanti seem to be the authorities when it comes to overseeing hazardous activities such as these – I cannot be persuaded the government have the right competent personnel to Police and Certify these activities meet Standards. Such competency would identify the level of expertise amongst the commercial entity, the level of risk recognition by those in charge for the activities, the right controls are in-place etc. None of these seem to be followed in any order, to the detriment of the workers are are put at unnecessary risk.

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Whilst like many other jobs fire works contain that element of danger, the problem in Malta is that it is run by "DILETTANTI", and before we start handling things in a professional manner deaths will still occure.