BOLOGNA, IT – A catastrophic explosion at a hydroelectric facility in northern Italy has resulted in the deaths of at least three employees, with five more sustaining injuries, according to regional fire chief reports. Additionally, four individuals are currently unaccounted for.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at the Enel power company’s Bergi plant, a longstanding facility situated south of Bologna. The explosion took place amidst maintenance operations, causing a section of the nine-story underground structure to collapse, igniting a fire and triggering flooding up to 60 meters deep.
Footage captured by firefighters depicts smoke billowing from the subterranean area of the lakeside plant. An aerial image, provided by the Italian Corps, further illustrates the aftermath of the explosion.
The mayor of Camugnano, a neighboring town, Marco Masinara, expressed his sorrow in a statement to local media, describing the Bergi plant as a historic power facility that had been operated by Enel for half a century. He highlighted the plant’s significance to the community as a source of employment for numerous families. The mayor confirmed that three of the injured individuals are in critical condition, while the remaining two have suffered less severe injuries.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed her concern and solidarity with the victims and their families, stating she was closely following the “terrible” news.
The hydroelectric plant is situated at the man-made Suviana Lake, created by dam construction and located within a regional park approximately 70 km southwest of Bologna. Despite the extent of the explosion, Enel Green Power confirmed that the dam had not been damaged. The company’s CEO, Salvatore Bernabei, has visited the site and extended his condolences to the victims and their families.