In brief
At least two fatalities and nine injuries were reported following a massive explosion at a fuel depot in Calenzano, near Florence, Italy, on Monday morning. City officials confirmed the incident occurred around 10:20 a.m., sending a large column of black smoke into the sky. ENI, the energy company that operates the depot, stated that the blast happened in a loading area and that the fire was contained without affecting nearby tanks, although the investigation into the cause remains ongoing.
Rescue teams were dispatched swiftly, with firefighters arriving quickly to manage the situation, according to Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the firefighting services. Italy's civil protection agency issued warnings to nearby residents to stay indoors and avoid the vicinity of the explosion. In response, the municipality has called for two days of mourning, canceling all events. The mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro, expressed solidarity with the victims' families and announced plans to provide psychological support.Moreover, authorities confirmed that three workers are still unaccounted for, and a local prosecutor has initiated an investigation to uncover the circumstances leading to the explosion, along with any potential accountability.
