- Explosion and fire at Italian hydroelectric plant cause fatalities
- Three bodies recovered, four missing, three hospitalized
- Rescue efforts hindered by submerged plant and structural damage
Local authorities report that a fire and detonation underground at a hydroelectric power plant in northern Italy have claimed the lives of at least three individuals and left four others missing.
Tuesday at approximately 3 p.m. (13:00 GMT), an explosion occurred at a dam on Lake Suviana, one of three artificial lakes that supply power to the power station in the municipality of Bargi, close to Bologna, according to the fire department.
Francesco Notaro, regional fire commander, said that the explosion during maintenance work caused the collapse of a portion of the nine-story underground structure, sparked a fire, and induced flooding at depths of up to sixty metres (two hundred feet).
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The mayor of the adjacent town of Camugnano, Marco Masinara, reported that three bodies had been discovered, four individuals remained missing, and three were transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The facility’s owner, Enel, stated that it had evacuated employees and coordinated with fire department rescue personnel.
Masinara reported that a fire broke out subterranean and added, “The entire plant is submerged in the lake at a depth of approximately 30 metres (100 feet).”
In initial reports, he told the Italian news agency Ansa that turbine maintenance was underway when the disaster occurred.
“I have been informed that the fire department is attempting to gain access but is encountering obstacles,” he continued.
