A powerful explosion has occurred at the Ta' Lourdes fireworks factory in Malta.

Axar.az reports, citing Malta Today, that two men were rushed to Mater Dei Hospital with minor injuries.

A 67-year-old and a 47-year-old, both residents of St Paul's Bay, were in fields near the factory at the time of the blast and were taken to hospital by ambulance, among others, due to shock.

Both were certified as suffering from minor injuries. Police confirmed that none of the factory's licensed workers was on site when the explosion occurred.

The blast, which originated at the factory on Triq tal-Qaghdi, was heard from several kilometres away, rattling buildings and shattering windows across large parts of Malta.

Emergency services were dispatched immediately, and police are currently investigating the incident.