Search after deadly blast at Italian power plant
By Laura Gozzi
Four people have died and several are missing following an explosion at a hydroelectric power plant in northern Italy.
The blast occurred underwater at the plant on Lake Suviana, 70km (43 miles) from the city of Bologna.
The affected area is located 30m (100ft) below the surface of the lake.
The mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano told Ansa news agency that a fire was believed to have broken out during maintenance work.
Marco Masinara said rescuers had trouble gaining access and that the accident had been “serious”.
Three of the four who died in the disaster were aged between 35 and 73.
The prefect of Bologna, Attilio Visconti, said a fire broke out when a turbine exploded on the eight floor below the surface, causing the floor below to become flooded.
One of the divers involved in the search and rescue operation told Italian newspaper La Repubblica he had managed to reach the seventh floor below the surface but could not reach the three people trapped further down.
