Mystery Explosions Continue to Strike

A series of seemingly unconnected blasts at firework factories around the world has officials baffled.

Within the past days, Malta, India, and now Brazil have had major "accidents" at firework buildings and factories.

3 countries, 3 firework factories, 3 "innocent" explosions. Something doesn't add up. Is there a modern-day Guy Fawkes terrorising the fireworks world?

Here's the facts:

At least 11 people were killed and 13 others remain in serious condition following a deadly firecracker explosion in India.

The Friday blasts occurred in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, according to reports the explosives were being stored in a building when they mysteriously detonated. The explosion was so powerful that officials say the building collapsed due to the force. The Friday night explosion occurred in the central Tiruvannamalai district at a storage depot for firecrackers used for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. There is yet no explanation for the blast.

An explosion at a Brazilian fireworks factory on Thursday left three people dead and dozens more seriously injured.

The factory, located near Sao Paulo took ablaze at 12:30 p.m. in the industrialised region of Santo Andre, on the outskirts of Brazil's largest city. Local news reports say 40 firefighters were called to the scene of the explosion to help remove victims from the ruined building. There is still no official explanation for how the blast was caused.

In Malta, the St Joseph Fireworks Factory in Ghaxaq exploded on Thursday night at approximately 11:40 p.m.

According to local media reports, the conflagration started in the mixing room, but no machinery was being used at the time? First aiders on the scene reported no serious injuries and preliminary investigations revealed that the blast blew away part of the compound's perimeter wall.

So what is the cause of these supposedly isolated events? Is it possible that fireworks have a new enemy? A Guy Fawkesian rebel who is traversing the world, seeking out fireworks factories and destroying them? An international man of mystery who will stop at nothing to fulfil his dastardly schemes?

Who is this modern day Fawkes? And how is he to be stopped?

And a far more important question for those who know their history, where is his Robert Catesby?

Terrifying times indeed for the firework community and a puzzle, that waits to be solved.