MAGĦTAB, Malta — A massive explosion tore through the Ta' Lourdes fireworks factory on Monday morning, June 1, 2026, sending shockwaves across large parts of the Mediterranean island, shattering windows, and leaving at least two people injured.

The first deafening detonation occurred around 6:30 a.m. local time at the facility located on Triq tal-Qagħdi in the Magħtab area, within the limits of Naxxar. It was quickly followed five minutes later by a second powerful blast, with smaller, secondary explosions continuing for hours afterward.

The pressure wave from the initial blast was felt kilometers away. "It felt like someone picked up a hammer the size of a truck and banged on the side of my house," described Edward Mercieca, a local resident whose home was rattled by the force of the explosion. Witnesses reported seeing a thick, black plume of smoke rising an estimated 1,000 feet (300 meters) into the sky.

According to the Malta Police Force, none of the factory's licensed pyrotechnicians or workers was inside the facility when the blast took place.

However, two men—aged 47 and 67; both residents of St. Paul's Bay—were working in nearby agricultural fields at the time. The pair were rushed by ambulance to Mater Dei Hospital, where they were treated for shock and certified to have suffered minor physical injuries from the flying debris and pressure wave.

While human casualties were thankfully low, the surrounding agricultural zone bore the brunt of the devastation. Local farming foundations reported that several dairy cows, rabbits, and birds perished in the incident, and nearby livestock farms suffered extensive structural damage.

Emergency responders, including the Civil Protection Department, the Armed Forces of Malta, police units, and medical crews, immediately swarmed the area to secure the perimeter.

Political leaders quickly issued statements as news of the explosion shook the nation. Prime Minister Robert Abela expressed his solidarity, stating that his thoughts were with all those affected and confirming that state authorities had been deployed to provide immediate assistance. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also expressed her concern over the blast that "shocked our country".

An official magisterial inquiry, led by Magistrate Joe Mifsud, is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the ignition. Authorities have urged the public to completely avoid the Magħtab area while the site remains hazardous.