A huge explosion tore through a fireworks factory in Malta, knocking locals backwards and shattering glass windows of nearby buildings. Eyewitness footage from Monday (1 June) shows pillows of black smoke rising following the explosion at the rural Lourdes Fireworks Factory in Salina. Fireworks continued to go off for hours after the initial explosion. Police confirmed that there were no workers at the factory at the time. The blast injured three people and killed four cows, The Times of Malta reported. Prime Minister Robert Abela wrote on social media that his "thoughts are with the people affected by the explosion that occurred this morning”.