Italy: three dead and six missing in explosion at hydroelectric power station

An explosion at a hydroelectric dam in central Italy on Tuesday afternoon left three people dead, three injured and six missing, according to the prefecture of Bologna. The prefecture of the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region reported “twelve casualties: three dead, three injured and six missing” after the incident, which took place at this establishment, operated by energy giant Enel, on the artificial reservoir of Suviana, located in the small town of Camugnano.

The Italian group Enel Green Power, Enel’s renewable energy subsidiary, said in a press release published by local media that “a fire broke out affecting a transformer at a hydroelectric power station,” insisting that “all safety measures” were promptly taken. activated to ensure “proper evacuation of personnel” at the site.

An Enel spokesman then clarified that the dam was not damaged by the explosion, but energy production was interrupted, but this did not have an impact on “local and national electricity supply.”

The accident is currently unexplained

According to Bologna fire chief Calogero Turturici, who was interviewed on local television, the cause of the accident cannot be immediately determined. The room where the explosion occurred is partially flooded and smoke-filled, so access is not immediately available, he added. “We are following developments in this matter with concern,” replied X Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.