3 dead, 4 missing in explosion at Italy power station
An explosion at an Italian power station on Tuesday killed at least three people and left 4 others missing. Another four people were hospitalized with serious burns.
The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. local time at a hydroelectric power station on Lake Suviana in the Apennine Mountains, some 70 km south of Bologna. All those involved were working at the plant when the explosion took place.
The bodies of the three victims were recovered in the afternoon, Bologna prefect Attilio Visconti told state-run Rai News 24 channel.
As of Tuesday night, a search and rescue operation is underway to locate the four persons still unaccounted for, who had been on the ninth floor underground of the plant, the official said.
The Fire Dept. reported that some 60 firefighters, including scuba drivers, were involved in the effort. The Civic Protection was also put on alert and would be ready to support, according to regional authorities.
According to initial reports, a fire broke out on the eighth floor underground some 30 meters deep in one of the two units of the plant, and the explosion followed shortly after.
The dam reservoir at the plant was not damaged by the explosion and was safe, according to Enel Green Power, a company that manages the station. The company added that production at Suviana was halted, but the electricity supply at the local or national level was not impacted.
Both President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent their condolences to those involved. A ceremony to commemorate the victims will be held at parliament on Wednesday.
Related articles
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
PARIS (AP) — Rafael Nadal returned to Roland Garros on Monday to practice and try and figure out whe2024-05-21Nikki Haley Wins District of Columbia's Republican Primary, Gets Her First 2024 Victory
Nikki Haley has won the Republican primary in the District of Columbia, notching her first victory o2024-05-21TikTok is facing a ban in the United States. What would that mean for New Zealand?
Photo: CFOTO / NurPhoto via AFP2024-05-21403,000 people's personal information taken in MediaWorks cyberattack
People's data has been stolen from MediaWorks and published online, the company says. Photo: RNZ / M2024-05-21Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
PRAGUE (AP) — Sweden beat France 3-1 to preserve a perfect record at the ice hockey world championsh2024-05-21Department of Conservation set to lose scientific expertise in job cuts
The fairy tern is among New Zealand's the country's most endangered birds. Photo: Supplied / Darren2024-05-21
atest comment