A powerful explosion ripped through the Ta' Lourdes fireworks factory in northern Malta on Monday morning, injuring two people [1].

The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with fireworks manufacturing in the region. Such blasts can cause widespread structural damage and pose significant threats to workers and surrounding residential communities.

The explosion occurred at approximately 6:35 a.m. [2]. Witnesses reported a massive plume of smoke that remained visible for miles across the northern landscape [3]. Emergency services responded to the scene at the Ta' Lourdes facility to manage the fire and search for casualties [4].

Police said that two people were injured in the blast [1]. While some early reports suggested several individuals may have been affected, official police figures confirm at least two injuries [5]. The exact cause of the ignition has not been disclosed by authorities [6].

Prime Minister Robert Abela addressed the incident following the blast. "My thoughts are with the people affected by the explosion that ..." Abela said [7].

Local authorities have secured the area around the factory to allow investigators to determine why the manufacturing facility ignited. The blast shook the local community, with residents reporting the impact of the shockwave from nearby areas [8].

Firefighting teams worked to contain the blaze to prevent further explosions of stored pyrotechnic materials. The scale of the smoke tower indicated a high-intensity fire, though the full extent of the property damage is still being assessed [3].

“Two people were injured in the blast”

This incident underscores the volatility of pyrotechnic production in Malta, where fireworks factories are often integrated into local communities. The disparity in initial casualty reports—ranging from 'several' to 'at least two'—reflects the chaos typical of the immediate aftermath of industrial explosions before police can establish a verified perimeter and manifest.