‘Behind Every Statistic Are Real People’: Naxxar Resident Appeals To Malta’s Leaders After Explosion

A resident from Naxxar has shared an emotional message on social media following the explosion at the Lourdes fireworks factory earlier this week. James Vella reflected on the impact the blast had on nearby residents and animals, saying the true victims are the innocent people caught in the middle of the tragedy. “The explosion was heard or felt by everything,” Vella wrote, noting that while many saw the smoke and heard the blast, fewer were focusing on those directly affected. He said homes, livelihoods and years of hard work were damaged or destroyed within minutes, while many families are now dealing with both financial and psychological consequences. “That which was built through work, dedication, and sacrifice over a long period of time, was eradicated in just a few minutes,” he said. In his post, Vella also tagged Prime Minister Robert Abela, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg and MEP Alex Agius Saliba while calling for greater support for affected families. “Behind every number, behind every statistic, there are real people whose lives changed overnight,” he concluded. The explosion in the Naxxar area caused shockwaves across multiple localities and left widespread damage in surrounding areas. Do you think enough support is being offered to residents? •