Italy: Explosion hits ammunition factory near Rome, no injuries reported

14:00

By: Sahili Aya

Italy: Explosion hits ammunition factory near Rome, no injuries reported

A powerful explosion struck an ammunition manufacturing facility in Colleferro, southeast of Rome, on Thursday, triggering a major fire but causing no reported injuries, according to the site’s operator, KNDS.

The incident occurred at a facility located roughly 40 kilometers from the Italian capital and prompted an emergency response at an industrial site involved in the production of defense and aerospace materials.

Explosion at KNDS facility

The plant belongs to KNDS, the Franco-German defense group, and manufactures medium- and large-caliber ammunition for land and naval forces. The facility also produces solid propellants used in aerospace launch systems, according to Italian news agency Ansa.

The blast followed a fire that broke out inside the industrial complex, sending a large plume into the air and producing a powerful detonation captured in images from the scene.

KNDS said no injuries had been reported following the incident.

The company said the circumstances surrounding the explosion were being investigated by teams at the facility, with an assessment of the incident also underway.

Workers reached safety areas

Employees at the plant were able to evacuate the affected area and reach designated safety zones, according to Italian news agency AGI.

The rapid movement of personnel away from the danger area appears to have helped prevent casualties despite the intensity of the explosion.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the fire may have originated at a compaction press used in connection with explosive powder. This account had not been established as the definitive cause, with authorities and company teams continuing to investigate.

Investigation under way

The incident has drawn attention because of the nature of the Colleferro facility and the materials handled there. Plants involved in the production of ammunition and solid propellants operate under strict safety procedures because of the risks associated with explosive substances.

Authorities and KNDS teams are expected to determine the precise sequence of events, identify the origin of the fire and assess any damage caused to the installation.

For the time being, the absence of reported injuries is the main positive development following the explosion, while investigations continue to establish what triggered the incident.