Tragedy repeats itself

Before yesterday’s fatal blast in Għarb, 24 people had been killed as a result of fireworks-related accidents in Gozo alone. Historian Eddie Attard traced a bloody trail through the decades. • March 31, 1893: Karmnu Grech died in the Gran Kastell at Victoria. The Grech family was one of the first to manufacture fireworks on the island and, at the time, there were neither fireworks factories nor proper legislation. Fireworks were manufactured and stored in inhabited places. • June 3, 1949: An explosion occurred at the San Lawrenz church centre, where fireworks were being manufactured and stored without a police permit. At the time of the explosion, Żarenu Formosa, 21, Victor Formosa, 13, and Ġużeppi Mizzi, 18, were inside the building. The three suffered serious injuries and Mr Formosa died nine days after being admitted to hospital. • September 7, 1949: Franġisku Camilleri, 23, was manufacturing a petard in a tin can at Qala when the device exploded. He died at the Gozo hospital after suffering serious stomach injuries. • August 19, 1955: A man and boy died after an explosion at the Fontana Catholic Centre. Ġużeppi Schembri, 32, Salvu Formosa, 40, Ġanni Cini, 22, and Toni Formosa,...