Explosion at Eni Fuel Depot Near Florence Kills Two, Injures Nine; Four Missing

Dec 9, 2024, 11:32 AM

On December 9, an explosion occurred at an Eni fuel storage facility in Calenzano, near Florence, Italy. The blast resulted in at least two deaths, nine injuries, and four people reported missing. A large column of smoke was visible from neighboring towns, and the explosion was heard kilometers away, causing windows to shatter at nearby facilities. Local authorities closed the nearby A1 highway exit and halted train services on the Florence-Bologna and Florence-Pistoia lines. All Florence-area hospitals were alerted and prepared for a significant influx of injured individuals. Emergency services, including firefighters, medical teams, and law enforcement, responded to the scene. The fire has since been extinguished, and an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway. Residents have been advised by the Department of Civil Protection to keep windows closed and avoid approaching the site.