A’explosion occurred around 3pm in the hydroelectric power plant Enel of the artificial basin of Suvianaon theApennines in the province of Bologna. The provisional balance is 4 dead in the explosion according to the prefecture of Bologna and 3 missing. Five the injured: they were admitted to hospitals in Parma, Cesena, Forlì and Pisa. This was reported by the prefect of Bologna Attilio Visconti, on site with the metropolitan mayor Matteo Lepore and Francesco Notaro, regional director of the fire brigade.
Suviana, artificial lake built in the 1920s: the power plant is three-quarters immersed
Searches by the police and firefighters are underway. According to initial information, the explosion occurred in one of the two power plants that regulate the basin, at a depth of 30 metres. According to what was reported by the prefect of Bologna Visconti, maintenance work was underway at the power station.
The Suviana reservoir dam was not involved in the accident at the power plant. According to what was learned from rescuers, the explosion occurred in a pumping and turbine power plant located approximately 2 kilometers away. Therefore, at the moment there is no damage to the dam structure
Explosion in the Suviana hydroelectric power plant: what happened
According to initial information, there appears to have been a deep explosion in one of the two power plants that regulate the basin.
The air ambulance took off from Bologna and Modena to reach the site of the tragedy and provide first aid, before transporting the injured to hospital.
«The accident occurred below the water level: there is a lot of smoke, we struggle to enter the premises. To provide assistance you need visibility and low temperatures.” He said this to the ÈTv broadcaster, il provincial fire brigade commander of Bologna Calogero Turturici. «When we get to the accident floor we will understand better. Even after contacting the Enel manager of the plant. On those floors there were transformers. We don’t know the causes. We will need testimony from those who were on site. The premises are now submerged in water according to the first information we have. If the site of the accident is not made available for investigations, it is difficult to hypothesize one specific type of scenario or another.”
Where the explosion occurred
The explosion of a turbine in the power plant on Lake Suviana occurred on the lowered eighth floor, while on the ninth floor there was a flood due to a cooling pipe of the turbine which flooded the room for several metres. The searches will reach up to 40 meters underground. Specialist recovery teams are expected to support the 12 fire brigade teams at work and reach the rooms invaded by water. The regional director of the Fire Brigade, Francesco Notaro, hopes to find someone still alive among the missing: «Although the explosion caused flooding, it could be that after the explosion they found shelter somewhere else on the slab, the hope it’s finding someone else alive.” But the work will continue for at least another 6-7 hours, if the flooding does not complicate.
Explosion in the Suviana hydroelectric power plant: the mayor speaks
“A fire broke out on floor nine, the entire power plant is below lake level at about 30 meters deep.” Marco Masinara, mayor of Camugnano, told ANSA this regarding the explosion at the Lake Suviana hydroelectric power plant. According to the first, still partial, information, «they were doing work on the turbines, there are staff inside. They told me that the firefighters are trying to get in but are having difficulty.” The mayor is going to the scene, where the municipal police are already there, together with emergency vehicles and ambulances. Fire fighters and carabinieri operate.
Explosion in the Suviana hydroelectric power plant: Minister Tajani
«Unfortunately there has been some bad news in Emilia Romagna, we are following the developments of the situation with apprehension, we stand in solidarity with all the families worried about the fate of their loved ones». Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, said this when speaking about the explosion that occurred at the dam in the Suviana basin, on the Bolognese Apennines.
«I am following with great apprehension the developments of the terrible news that reaches us from Emilia Romagna, where an explosion appears to have occurred inside the hydroelectric power plant of the Suviana artificial basin. Mase is already in contact with the local authorities to provide any necessary support.” Thus the Deputy Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Vannia Gava. «I sympathize with the pain and anguish of the families of the workers involved. I thank all those who are mobilizing to offer the necessary help” concludes Gava in a note.
The Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, is following in direct contact with the Prefect of Bologna the evolution of the situation at the hydroelectric power plant of the Suviana dam, where an explosion occurred in the afternoon. This is what we learn from Mase sources.
Governor Bonaccini’s concern
«We are following the news coming from Suviana with extreme concern. I am in close contact with the mayor of Camugnano and the Fire Brigade Commander. Vice President Irene Priolo is reaching the site of the explosion. We have activated the Civil Protection structures, available to the firefighters and law enforcement agencies involved in rescue operations.” Thus on Facebook the president of Emilia Romagna Stefano Bonaccini.
Enel Green Power: “All safety measures have been activated”
Enel Green Power, the Enel Group company that deals with the development and management of energy generation activities from renewable sources, “informs that in the early afternoon of today a fire affected a transformer of the Bargi hydroelectric power plant, in the province of Bologna. The company communicates that it has promptly activated all the necessary safety measures as per internal procedures to guarantee the correct carrying out of the evacuation procedures to protect its personnel. Enel is in contact and close coordination with the Fire Brigade and competent authorities “.
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