In brief
At least two individuals have lost their lives and nine others have sustained injuries following a significant explosion at a fuel depot in Calenzano, just outside Florence, Italy. The incident occurred at approximately 10:20 a.m. on December 9, 2024, producing massive clouds of black smoke visible for miles. The incident, which occurred at the facility operated by the ENI energy company, remains under investigation as authorities seek to determine the cause.
As officials reported, the death toll may increase as three workers from the depot remain unaccounted for. Fortunately, the explosion was reportedly confined to a loading area and flames did not spread to adjacent storage tanks. In light of the situation, Italy’s Minister for Civil Protection, Nello Musumeci, confirmed that rescue teams were activated promptly post-explosion, and local hospitals were placed on high readiness to aid possible casualties.Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene from Florence and nearby municipalities and managed to control the fire efficiently, as reported by Luca Cari, a spokesperson for Italy’s firefighters. Furthermore, the national civil protection agency circulated SMS alerts to residents within a three-mile radius, advising them to stay indoors and refrain from approaching the vicinity. Local authorities also recommended that citizens keep their windows shut to avoid inhaling smoke and fumes. In response to the disaster, the mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro, declared two days of mourning—Monday and Tuesday—and canceled all municipal events during this period. She emphasized the importance of supporting the victims' families in this grievous time, stating, “We must think of the families who are the first to be affected; we have to be close to them.” Authorities are also initiating a thorough inquiry, with Luca Tescaroli, chief prosecutor of the city of Prato, confirming that his office will probe the explosion’s causes and determine potential accountability for those involved. The community remains in shock as investigations continue amidst calls for safety reassessments at similar facilities nationwide.
