Cabinet discusses Naxxar fireworks blast

The Government is monitoring the situation of the three families who lost their homes in the Naxxar blast two weeks ago and has pledged to provide help according to their individual needs.

Social Policy Minister John Dalli told The Sunday Times that during Cabinet's first meeting last Monday the subject was raised to establish how these families could be assisted.

Mr Dalli is in contact with Foundation for Social Welfare Services chief executive Joe Gerada and the Housing Authority, and will be following up on each case tomorrow.

Mr Gerada has also drawn up a report for the ministry detailing all the help, be it material or psychological, which each family has received so far.

He said: "Every individual case needs specific treatment. It's not a case of trying to fit anybody into one mould of support. So far, our agencies and the Housing (authority) have provided substantial support and we need to continue ensuring they're receiving all the help they require."

Asked if the Government was considering tapping into the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund, Mr Dalli said for the time being it didn't seem this was necessary.

However, if the situation arose where this fund would appease the situation "we'll use it accordingly", he said.

The lives of three families were rocked to the core when an explosion, caused by the illegal manufacturing of fireworks, demolished their homes in Triq Ħal Dgħejf, and damaged neighbouring houses.

Two people lost their lives in the tragedy - 35-year-old Sina Sammut, a mother of two; and Paul Camilleri, 47, who is suspected to have been producing the fireworks in his garage, and whose body was never found.

The Bugeja family of four, who lived in the house adjacent to the Camilleris, are trying hard to piece their life back together, but they're still in a state of shock.

"We have to start rebuilding all we had from scratch. We lost everything - the only thing we got out of the house was our daughter who managed to emerge alive and unhurt from the rubble," Edward Bugeja said yesterday when contacted.

He said the Government had temporarily put the family up in a rented flat in Buġibba, but they have since managed to find a flat to rent in Naxxar, where they can be closer to their community.

"We're still reeling from the shock and I don't think we've landed on solid ground. Two weeks on, our life is still a blur," he said.

"You automatically open the wardrobe for a jacket, or open a drawer to wear a particular necklace and you realise you've nothing left. All our memories and things of sentimental value are buried under the rubble.

"All the emotions of anger and sadness are pent up, but they have to come out some day," he said in a pensive voice.

Mr Bugeja is thankful for all the help his family has received so far, but is appealing to the Government to give some form of assurance of further support.

"If, for example, we start building a house, and don't manage to make ends meet, it would give us tremendous peace of mind if we knew the Government would bridge the gap; that our future can somehow be secured," he appealed.

Meanwhile, the Naxxar council has set up a common fund for all the victims affected by the explosion.

Council mayor Maria Fatima Deguara said a committee will then be appointed, which would determine how to administer the fund, but all the families would benefit from it. Fund-raising activities are also being planned.

The account numbers for the council's common fund are: Bank of Valletta 40017065441, and HSBC 059028290001.

A series of bank accounts have been opened for all those who wish to help the families piece their lives together.

Anyone who wishes to help the Sammut family can deposit money in BoV account 40017055396, or HSBC account 006109185050.

Those who wish to help the Bugeja family can deposit money in the BoV account 40017049454, or HSBC account 059013771050.