Two Dead, Nine Injured in Fuel Depot Explosion Near Florence
At Least Two people have died, and three others are missing following a deadly explosion at a fuel depot near Florence, Italy. The blast also resulted in nine injuries, with some victims reported to be in a “worrying” condition. An emergency alert was issued to residents within a 5-kilometer radius of the site, and nearby homes suffered damage, with windows shattered by the force of the explosion. Local authorities have urged people to stay indoors and keep windows closed due to an acrid smell in the air.
The explosion occurred at a fuel depot in Calenzano, owned by the Italian energy company Eni. The company confirmed that a fire broke out at the site on Monday morning.
The fire brigade quickly contained the flames, which were confined to the loading shelter area, and assured that the tanks themselves were unaffected. Eni is investigating the causes and impacts of the blast, promising further updates.
Tuscany’s president, Eugenio Giani, expressed solidarity with the victims, calling the incident a tragedy. He noted that the fire was quickly brought under control, though the smoke caused significant visibility issues due to the temperature difference. Local authorities, including the mayor of Calenzano, Giuseppe Carovani, confirmed that the explosion created a powerful shock wave, damaging several homes. Masks were distributed to residents to mitigate the impact of the smoke.
As a result of the blast, regional train services were disrupted, and local authorities suspended all scheduled events in the area for the day and the following day. Emergency services continue to manage the situation, with efforts focused on ensuring the safety of residents and preventing further hazards.
