1 comment.7 victims of the C23 tragedy remembered in commemorative ceremony
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The Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta this week organised the annual ceremony to commemorate the five soldiers and two policemen forming part of the AFM and MPF who lost their lives 39 years ago aboard P23 (then C23) on the 7th of September 1984.
The ceremony consisted of a solemn Holy Mass officiated by the AFM Chaplain and concelebrated by the MPF Chaplain followed by a wreath laying ceremony in front of the P23 monument situated at Hay Wharf Base.
Patrol boat C-23 was on a dumping detail of illegally manufactured fireworks. It was supposed to be a routine operation which followed the Police’s find and seizure of the fireworks in the limits of Zabbar a day earlier.
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, all lost their lives on that day.
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 managed to steer the patrol boat to Comino, where the alarm was raised.
The fireworks had been seized the previous day in the limits of Zabbar and were being carried on the deck of the patrol boat when the sudden explosion occurred.
The cause was never conclusively established, although it is thought to have been a spark caused when a hatch was closed.
The following day, September the 8th, was declared a Day of National Mourning. The flag-draped coffins were carried together in a large military funeral attended by thousands of people and led by a Guard of Honour of what was then the Task Force.
The flag-draped coffins were brought to Malta on patrol boats ‘C-28’ and ‘C-29,’ and a funeral cortege left St Luke’s Hospital.
Thousands of people gathered to pay their last respects along the route as a Task Force AFM 48-men guard of honour, led by Captain Charles Mansueto, escorted their fallen comrades.
Toni Vella ta’ Ghajnsielem kien persuna zghira, serja u mimlija hajja. Halla jibku warajh lill Geneturi u Hutu inklusi hafna hbieb, fosthom jiena. Ghatieh il-Mistrieh ta’ dejjem, Mullej.
L-Ghomor jinghatha wkoll lill familjari ta’ dawk kollha fl-Incident.