Ta' Lourdes – A fireworks factory in Maghtab, Malta exploded Monday morning, injuring two men and shattering windows across much of the country—while killing livestock including birds, rabbits, and dairy cows in nearby farms.
The blast didn’t stay inside the Ta’ Lourdes factory in Maghtab.
It rattled homes and buildings across Malta, with the explosion heard from several kilometers away and windows shattered across large portions of the island.
By Monday morning, the aftermath had a human toll. Two men—aged 47 and 67—were hospitalized and treated for shock and light injuries.
But in the agricultural zone where the factory is located, the damage also landed on farms and animals.
Ta’ Lourdes factory sits in an area designated for agriculture. A spokesperson from the MaYA (Malta Youth in Agriculture) Foundation said the blast occurred in Maghtab. where the impact reached beyond the factory walls. She described how most insurance companies would not compensate farmers for their lost livestock.
“Several breeders in the area suffered structural damage to their farms. and some animals also perished due to the blast. including birds. rabbits. and dairy cows. ” she said. “At the moment. farmers are doing all that is possible to mitigate the effects. and needless to say. they need support. both psychological and financial.”.
The blast also appears to have a painful history. The same Ta’ Lourdes factory exploded in 2018, when two people were seriously injured and another four lightly injured.
Now, with Monday’s explosion leaving serious property damage and dead animals behind, the question for farmers is stark: how they repair what was lost—when compensation for livestock may not come.
Malta fireworks factory Ta' Lourdes Maghtab explosion livestock killed dairy cows MaYA Foundation insurance hospitalized
Wait so the cows just died from the sound?? that’s messed up.
They said insurance won’t cover the farmers? So basically nobody pays for the livestock?? That’s brutal.
Honestly kinda sounds like those farms were too close, like why is a fireworks place in an agriculture zone to begin with? I’m sure it’s not “their fault” but still… Also shock and light injuries?? light like burns or like just feeling weird.
I swear these factories always blow up and it’s always “heard from several kilometers away” like that makes it better. Also they keep saying birds and rabbits but did they mention cats/dogs too? People keep posting about it and I’m just like… how are they supposed to rebuild if insurance doesn’t pay, and the last time was 2018 so nothing changed?