In a tragic incident, at least three people have lost their lives, and four others remain unaccounted for after an explosion and fire occurred underground at a hydroelectric power plant in northern Italy. The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at a dam on Lake Suviana, one of the three artificial lakes that supply water to the power station located near the town of Bargi, close to Bologna
The Incident Details
According to the local fire brigade, the explosion happened around 3pm during maintenance work. The force of the explosion caused a section of the nine-storey underground structure to collapse, leading to a subsequent fire and flooding. The water levels reached depths of up to 60 meters (200 feet) within the facility.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Francesco Notaro, the regional fire chief, confirmed that three fatalities have been reported. Additionally, four individuals are still missing, and three others sustained severe injuries. The injured victims were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Evacuation and Coordination
The hydroelectric power plant is owned by Enel, a major energy company. Following the incident, Enel swiftly evacuated workers from the site. The company is closely coordinating with rescue teams from the local fire department to assess the situation and provide aid.
Challenging Conditions
Marco Masinara, the mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano, shed light on the challenging circumstances faced by emergency responders. He explained that the plant is entirely situated below the level of the lake, approximately 30 meters (100 feet) deep. Initial information suggests that maintenance work on a turbine was underway when the accident occurred.
Despite the difficulties encountered by the fire brigade in gaining access to the affected area, rescue efforts continue as authorities strive to locate the missing individuals and secure the site.
