Thirty-five years ago, five Armed Forces of Malta personnel and two police officers died in an explosion on a patrol boat two miles off Qala.
It was the 7th of September, 1984, when a violent explosion on board the C23 patrol boat killed the seven men who were disposing of illegally manufactured fireworks at sea.
What was supposed to be a routine operation – the fireworks had been seized by the police in Zabbar a day before – turned into a national tragedy as the seven men died in the blast.
They were Bombardier Joseph Pace, 36 of Santa Venera; Gunner William Simpson, 36 of Lija; Private Anthony Vella, 20 of Ghajnsielem, Gozo; Police Sergeant Saviour Muscat, 30 of Birkirkara; and Police Constable Joseph Hare, 24 of Sliema,
The remains of 36-year-old Bombardier Francis Borg of Hamrun and 27-year-old Private Anthony Farrugia of Zejtun, were never found.
Private Emmanuel Montesin, 21 of Paola, survived the blast and steered the boat to Comino to raise the alarm.
The cause of the explosion was never established, although it is thought to have been a spark caused when a hatch was closed.
Fireworks have since no longer been carried on patrol boats. Towed barges are used instead.
