A powerful explosive incident occurred on the afternoon of August 13 at the KNDS Ammo Italy ammunition factory, formerly owned by Simmel Difesa, in Colleferro, a suburb of Rome, La Repubblica reports .
According to preliminary information, a fire first broke out at the facility. Around 2:45 PM local time, a compactor – a machine used for pressing gunpowder – caught fire in one of the workshops. The fire then spread across the factory premises, eventually leading to an explosion. It could be heard even in neighboring settlements.
Firefighters and police arrived at the scene before the explosion. All 24 employees who were at the facility that day are reportedly safe. There is no information yet about any fatalities or injuries.
For safety reasons, several roads in the factory area were closed. The blast wave damaged windows in some nearby houses.
Colleferro Mayor Giulio Calamita stated that the situation is under control and authorities are awaiting final confirmation that no one was killed or injured. He also noted that the explosion occurred during a period when the facility was not operating at full capacity. In August, many Italian companies go on summer vacation, which, according to the mayor, may have prevented much more serious consequences.
The cause of the fire and explosion is currently unknown.
The KNDS Ammo Italy factory specializes in the production of medium and large-caliber ammunition, as well as solid fuel for the aerospace industry.
A similar serious incident previously occurred at this facility in 2007, when the factory was still owned by Simmel Difesa. At that time, one worker was killed and 13 others were injured in an explosion.
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