Rescuers have recovered the last two bodies from Lake Suviana following an explosion at the hydroelectric plant at Bargi, Italy. (EPA/MICHELE LAPINI)

Energy and climate News

Final death toll rises to seven after Italy hydroelectric blast

1 minute read
Avatar for Reuters

Italian rescuers have found the bodies of the last two missing workers from an explosion at a hydroelectric plant near Bologna three days ago, a spokesperson for the fire brigade said on April 12, bringing the final death toll to seven.

On April 9, a fire that broke out on a transformer and the subsequent blast rocked the plant on the shores of the artificial Lake Suviana, at Bargi, owned by Enel Green Power, a unit of utility group Enel.

The explosion has heightened concern of trade unions about workplace safety in Italy, where more than 1,000 people lost their lives while working last year, according to a report by the country’s national workers’ compensation authority INAIL.

Divers recovered the bodies from the ruins of a turbine hall some nine levels, 40 metres or so below the lake.

Rescue efforts were interrupted in the late morning of April 12 after the last corpses were found, the spokesperson added.

The cause of the accident has not been established and Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation, as is mandatory in such cases.

Key Topics

More like this

Uncategorized

Ex-nuclear plant bosses urge Merz government to reactivate German reactors

By Carl Deconinck

Energy and climate

Germany funds fridges in Colombia while removing them from domestic trains

By Carl Deconinck

Premium
Energy and climate

Europe’s rising heat mortality increases fuel debate over air conditioning barriers

By Carl Deconinck

From the capitals

Trump takes final swipe at outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

By Carl Deconinck