Santa Marija fireworks burn old carob trees at Tal-Maqluba

The area of Maqluba in Qrendi is a nationally protected area, but despite its recognition by authorities, the Police last week still allowed fireworks to be set off for the feast of Santa Marija.

Witnesses who saw the trees catch fire said that remnants of fireworks landed on the stairs that lead to the area of Maqluba, while others landed in the are concentrated with carob trees (sigar tal-Harrub) and Juniper trees (sigar ta l-Gharghar).

Readers who spoke to newspaper Illum said they tried to get the attention of the Civil Protection department, and tell them to put the fire out, but they ignored requests and trees found a couple of metres away from the Maqluba area ended up catching fire.
Carob trees are protected by law in Malta, and anyone caught vandalising them may be penalised.

Head of the Department Patrick Murgo told Illum “I spoke to a number of workers on duty on Sunday, the day of the feast, and I was informed that they were only able to dispel some of the fires because some areas were not accessible. They did their job in making sure the fire didn’t spread and damage residences.”

Murgo also confirmed that there were police on site while the fires were taking place.

MEPA have also confirmed with the same newspaper “we are looking into the damage that the site incurred and are urging the police to investigate.”

According to legal notice 12 of 2001, under chapter 348, any person caught deliberately damaging a carob tree ten years old or older in Malta, may be liable to a fine of not less that €350 and not more than €23,294. If a person commits a repeat offence, damaging trees repeatedly, he may be fined a minimum of €466 and a maximum of €46,587. One may also be sentenced to not more than two years in jail. Alternatively, one may be fined and sentenced.

Malta has a total of 55 protected trees and any tree over the age of 50 is also considered a protected species.