On 7 September 1984, seven AFM personnel tragically perished following a fatal accident on board the AFM patrol boat C23.

The accident, which occurred 36 years ago today, took place two miles off Qala Point in Gozo, when the patrol boat was on a dumping detail of illegally manufactured fireworks, after the Police found and seized fireworks in the limits of Zabbar the previous day. 

In a post shared to Nostalgia Malta, the AFM shared that one person survived the blast and managed to steer the patrol boat to Comino to raise the alarm over the incident. 

It is believed that the fireworks, which were being carried on the deck of the patrol boat when the sudden explosion occurred, was caused by a spark when the hatch was closed.

The following day, 8th September, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Victories, was declared a national day of mourning. 

After the incident, the patrol boat was repaired and later reinstated into service as patrol boat P-23.