Explosion at fireworks factory in Malta — two injured

The explosion occurred at a fireworks factory in Naxxar in northern Malta. Tagesschau reports that the detonation injured two people. The force of the explosion was so great that Al Jazeera documented how the blast wave destroyed windows across large parts of the island.

The fireball rose kilometers high into the sky and was visible from several kilometers away. A gray cloud of smoke settled over the popular tourist island. Der Standard reports that the detonation and subsequent explosions in the factory caused considerable property damage.

Investigation into cause launched

Malta's police confirmed the two injured. According to local media reports, they are factory workers. Beyond the human impact, reports also document damage to livestock in the surrounding area – BBC News reports that farm animals were killed by the explosion.

The exact cause of the explosion was initially unclear. Fireworks factories generally pose considerable risks due to the storage and processing of explosives. Maltese authorities have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the detonation.