Bologna, Italy – An explosion at Enel’s Bergi hydroelectric plant in northern Italy has tragically claimed the lives of at least three workers and left five others injured, with four individuals still missing following the incident. The explosion occurred during maintenance work at the plant, causing part of the nine-story underground structure to collapse and leading to a fire and extensive flooding at depths of up to 60 meters (200 feet).
Marco Masinara, the mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano, expressed the devastating impact of the explosion, highlighting the plant’s historical significance and role in providing employment opportunities for many families over the past five decades. Masinara emphasized the unprecedented nature of the tragedy, noting that until now, the plant had operated without any major incidents.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni offered her condolences to the victims and their families, describing the news of the explosion as “terrible.” Divers have been deployed to assist in the search for the missing individuals, but caution is being exercised due to the risk of further structural collapses at the plant site.
Located at the artificial Suviana Lake in a regional park approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Bologna, the Enel plant suffered significant damage as a result of the explosion. Despite the devastating impact on the facility, Enel Green Power confirmed that the dam itself remained intact and unaffected by the incident.
Enel CEO Salvatore Bernabei personally visited the site of the explosion, expressing the company’s deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. The search and rescue efforts are expected to continue through the night, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all involved.