Two racehorses have sustained serious injuries after an explosion ripped through the Lourdes Fireworks Factory in Salini on May 30, sending debris flying into a paddock 300 meters away. The blast, which occurred around 6:30 a.m., scattered stones across the area, collapsed part of a stable structure, and left all four horses at the site in a state of shock—refusing food and running fevers as their bodies processed what their owner calls "massive trauma."
When Stones Rain Down
Etienne Farrugia, owner of one of the injured horses, described the morning as surreal and terrifying. As the explosion tore through the factory, he and his son scrambled for cover beneath a van while stones and fragments rained down around them. His racehorse, Love Your Choice, was still inside its stable when part of the structure gave way, falling onto the animal and causing facial injuries that required stitches.
Another horse, Glowing Moko, owned by a friend and stabled at the same location, had just been led outside moments before the blast. Struck by falling debris, the horse suffered injuries to its back ribs, struggled to walk, and was observed crying in pain—a distressing sight for anyone who works closely with these animals.
The physical wounds, however, tell only part of the story. All four horses at Farrugia's facility stopped eating in the aftermath and developed fevers, classic signs of severe stress and trauma in equines. The animals are now on medication, and Farrugia remains cautiously optimistic about their recovery, though the incident has raised uncomfortable questions about the proximity of explosive manufacturing to agricultural land.
Why This Matters:
• Two horses required emergency medical treatment, including stitches for facial wounds and medication for rib injuries
• All four horses at the stables developed fever and stopped eating, raising concerns about long-term health impacts
• This is the second major explosion at the Ta' Lourdes factory since 2018, renewing questions about safety buffers around fireworks production sites
• Magistrate Joe Mifsud has opened an investigation into the blast, which was heard across the island
Legal and Regulatory Gaps
Malta's regulatory framework for fireworks production and display is governed by the Control of Fireworks and other Explosives Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 33.03) and the Animal Welfare Act (Chapter 439). Yet despite this legislative scaffolding, no explicit minimum safety distance for fireworks facilities near animal holdings is spelled out in publicly available statutes.
Permits for fireworks displays require consideration of animal welfare, and the Veterinary Services Department plays a role in the approval process. Factors such as proximity to animal facilities and sound impact are weighed, and in some cases, tests determine which types of fireworks can be used. But when it comes to manufacturing plants—especially older ones like the Lourdes factory, which has been a fixture in Salini for decades—regulatory ambiguity persists.
The Malta Police Force administers fireworks licenses, requiring applicants to complete comprehensive courses covering safety protocols and environmental impacts. Yet the Salini explosion, the second at this site in under a decade, suggests that existing measures may not adequately mitigate risks to nearby residents, animals, and property.
The Maltese Pyrotechnics Association has previously emphasized that while organizers take precautions, ultimate responsibility for animal welfare lies with the owner. In a 2025 incident in Mosta, the association reported providing three weeks' notice to a horse owner before a feast display, along with offers of canopy shelter and standby emergency services. The owner, however, allegedly refused to move the animals indoors, complicating questions of liability.
What This Means for Residents
If you own livestock, keep horses, or operate a farm within 500 meters of a fireworks factory or regular display site, this incident underscores a critical vulnerability in Malta's regulatory landscape. While the Animal Welfare Act criminalizes cruelty and neglect, enforcement in the context of fireworks-related incidents remains reactive rather than preventive.
Practical steps for animal owners include:
• Securing advance notice from fireworks organizers—ask local councils and pyrotechnics clubs for annual schedules
• Creating enclosed, noise-buffered shelters where animals can be moved before anticipated displays
• Consulting veterinarians about calming options or sedatives for animals with known anxiety
• Documenting injuries and stress responses immediately, as evidence may be critical for any future legal claims
The Salini incident is under investigation by Magistrate Joe Mifsud, but specific legal actions regarding compensation for the injured horses or broader liability have not yet been detailed. Given the pattern of fireworks-related accidents in Malta—from the 1980 Żebbuġ factory explosion that killed a 14-year-old to the 1984 C23 tragedy that claimed seven lives—this case may prompt renewed scrutiny of buffer zones and factory placement.
A Pattern Beyond Malta
Malta is not alone in grappling with the unintended consequences of pyrotechnics on horses. Across Europe and beyond, similar incidents have highlighted the risks. In Belgium in 2015, a 6-year-old gelding died of a heart attack near Antwerp after being startled by New Year's Eve fireworks. In the UK, the British Horse Society recorded 884 incidents involving horses and fireworks between March 2021 and March 2024, resulting in 22 equine fatalities. The organization has called for reducing the maximum permitted noise level of consumer fireworks from 120 decibels to 90, restricting unlicensed use to specific traditional dates, and establishing 500-meter safe zones around horse dwellings.
Scotland has moved ahead with the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, allowing local authorities to create "control zones" where public fireworks displays are prohibited. Enforcement challenges remain, but the legislation represents a shift toward recognizing the cumulative toll of fireworks on animals and vulnerable populations.
Accountability and Next Steps
The Animal Welfare Directorate in Malta has been actively involved in assisting animals affected by fireworks-related incidents, and investigations into potential breaches of animal welfare laws are launched when distress is documented. However, the Salini blast highlights the limits of reactive enforcement. Unlike a planned village feast, where owners can theoretically prepare, a factory explosion offers no warning.
The Lourdes Fireworks Factory has been operating for decades in an area that, over time, has seen increased agricultural activity and residential development. Whether the factory's original safety buffer was ever sufficient—or whether encroachment has eroded that buffer—will likely form a key part of the magistrate's inquiry.
For now, Farrugia and his fellow horse owners are focused on recovery. The four animals are receiving round-the-clock care, and veterinarians are monitoring their progress closely. The hope is that the fevers will break, appetites will return, and the psychological trauma will fade. But the incident has left a lasting mark on those who witnessed it—and a growing sense that Malta's regulatory framework may need to catch up with the reality on the ground.
