The powerful explosion that rocked Salina on Monday morning was so intense that it registered a magnitude of 1.9 on the Richter scale, according to earthquake monitoring data.The blast at the Lourdes Fireworks Factory on Triq il-Qadi was heard across large parts of Malta, sending shockwaves through nearby communities and prompting emergency response efforts.Data published by the University of Malta’s Seismic Monitoring and Research Group, as well as international monitoring platforms, shows the explosion generated seismic activity equivalent to a magnitude 1.9 event.The explosion occurred at around 6.30am local time and was recorded at 4.36am GMT by seismic monitoring stations.Two farmers working in nearby fields sustained minor injuries in the blast, while the impact was also felt by surrounding farms and properties.At least four cows were killed in the explosion, while several birds at Bird Park Malta also died as a result of the shockwave.Residents reported hearing multiple explosions, with damage also recorded in properties located close to the factory.The incident has once again highlighted the immense force generated by fireworks factory explosions, with this latest blast producing seismic readings typically associated with minor earthquakes.Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.•