Seven people lost their lives and five others were injured in an explosion that took place at a hydroelectric power plant on Lake Suviana in central Italy, situated south of Bologna, on April 9, 2024.

The Bargi power plant, run by leading energy giant Enel, witnessed the unfortunate incident during regular maintenance of turbines located nine levels below ground level. Marco Masinara, the mayor of Camugnano, confirmed the recovery of seven bodies and mentioned that five others had been severely injured, necessitating hospital care.

Speaking to local press, the mayor said, “This is a historic power plant for us. It has been managed by Enel for 50 years, providing jobs for many families. Until today, nothing ever happened. Today, a drama occurred. Our world collapsed.”

The underground location of the explosion, which resulted in a fire and substantial flooding approximately 130 feet underground, significantly complicated the rescue operation. Assisted by divers, emergency response personnel had to deal with limited visibility and the potential danger of more collapses while searching for the missing workers.

Enel affirmed that a transformer fire was linked to the afternoon explosion. Despite the power plant being disconnected from the grid during the incident, thus avoiding any immediate disruption to the electricity supply, it has raised questions about maintenance procedures and safety precautions at key infrastructure facilities.

Lake Suviana, a scenic water body nestled in the Apennine Mountains and formed between 1928 and 1932 due to dam construction, underscores the region’s natural splendor, economic significance, and cultural heritage. The power plant, crucial to the region’s hydroelectric capabilities, highlights the hazards involved in operating such crucial yet potentially dangerous facilities.

Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing, with assurances from Enel and the relevant government bodies to fully cooperate in the probe. Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed that she is closely monitoring the distressing situation and extended her condolences to the victims and their families.