2 killed in fireworks factory explosion in Italy

Two people were killed after an explosion ripped through a fireworks factory in central Italy on Wednesday morning, Italian daily La Repubblica reported, said Xinhua.

The explosion occurred inside a production bunker at Pirotecnica Mattei in Borgorose, Rieti Province. Firefighters recovered from the rubble the bodies of the two victims identified as a woman and a young man. Two other workers involved in the incident were not injured, according to rescuers.

The blast triggered a fire and sent a large plume of smoke into the air. Firefighters, emergency medical personnel and the police arrived at the scene, secured the area and launched rescue operations.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to La Repubblica, another explosion occurred in the company in July 2023, killing three people when they were preparing pyrotechnic materials.