At least four workers were killed Tuesday in an explosion at a hydroelectric plant on an artificial lake in northern Italy.
Authorities fear that the death toll at the hydroelectric plant on Lake Suviana between Bologna and Florence could rise. A few hours after the accident, which happened around 3 p.m., three workers are still missing and at least five workers have suffered burns.
For reasons that are still unclear, the fire broke out in the hydroelectric power plant while work was being done on the turbine at a depth of about 30 meters, which caused the explosion, according to initial information. Water entered the power plant as a result of the explosion.
The dam itself, about two kilometers away, was not affected. Thick smoke made it difficult for firefighters to access the scene of the accident.
The mayor of the nearby town of Camougnana, Marco Masinara, said that work was being done on the turbines and that the accident happened below the water level, that is, at minus nine.
The owner of the hydroelectric power plant, the electricity supplier Enel, confirmed the accident, but did not provide any details.
A fire brigade with more than 40 volunteers and several helicopters was deployed.
“There is a lot of smoke. We are struggling to get into the premises,” the provincial fire chief told the E-TV television station, Hina reports.
