An explosion at a hydroelectric plant in northern Italy has resulted in a tragic incident, claiming the lives of at least three workers and injuring five others. The explosion occurred at Enel's Bergi plant, located south of Bologna, during maintenance work. The blast caused part of the nine-story underground structure to collapse, triggering a fire and flooding at depths of up to 60 meters.
Search and rescue efforts are currently underway, with four individuals still missing. Due to the risk of further collapses, the operation is being conducted with caution. Divers have been deployed to assist in the search, which is expected to continue throughout the night.
Video footage captured by firefighters shows smoke rising from the underground area of the lakeside power plant. The mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano expressed shock over the incident, highlighting the plant's significance in providing employment for local families over the past 50 years.
Three of the injured individuals are in serious condition, while the remaining two sustained lesser injuries. The artificial Suviana Lake, created by a dam constructed between 1928-32, is situated in a regional park at an altitude of 500 meters, approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Bologna.
Enel Green Power confirmed that the dam itself was undamaged by the explosion. The company's CEO has visited the site to monitor the situation closely and has extended condolences to the victims and their families. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with those affected by the tragic event.
