Powerful explosion at ammunition factory near Rome sparks scare

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - ROME — A powerful explosion rocked an ammunition factory senting up a towering plume of smoke on Thursday in the town of Colleferro near Rome but no injuries were reported, police and local officials said.

The blast took place at a plant owned by European defense group KNDS Ammo, which produces ammunition and other defense-related products, and it appeared to have originated in the powder-pressing department, officials said.

Residents in the area reported a loud blast, and images and videos circulating widely on social media showed what looked like a giant mushroom cloud above the facility.

“We initially thought it was an earthquake,” resident Annarita Quattrino said, adding that she was taking a nap at home in the early afternoon when she heard a loud boom that shook the entire building.

Police and 10 firefighting crews backed by a helicopter responded as the fire continued to burn, spreading to nearby vegetation.

Firefighters and police were at the site and “complex operations” were underway, police said without providing further details.

Videos shared on social media showed a fire at the factory followed by a massive explosion. The fire service shared a video showing thick smoke but no visible sign of flames.

Colleferro Mayor Giulio Calamita said there had been “a huge scare” but that no injuries were reported.

Francesco Rocca, president of the Lazio region, said in a statement that he was monitoring with “great concern” the events in Colleferro. “At this time, the absolute priority is to ensure people’s safety and allow all personnel involved in the emergency response to operate under the best possible conditions,” he added.

Initial reports by local media said all 24 workers who were inside the facility at the time of the explosion had been accounted for. The blast appeared to have been confined to a single production and storage area, Calamita said.