A huge explosion tore through an ammunition factory in Colleferro, about 40 kilometres southeast of Rome, in the early afternoon on Wednesday.
The blast originated from a gunpowder compactor in the powder-pressing department of the plant, owned by German defence group KNDS. High temperatures and wind then fuelled the spread of the fire. The explosion was heard several kilometres away. Fire services dispatched 10 rescue teams to the scene.
KNDS confirmed no injuries among the 24 employees on site, as a fire-suppression system allowed them to evacuate before the blast. Investigators have ruled out sabotage. The facility, formerly Simmel Difesa, produces medium- and large-calibre munitions and solid rocket fuel. A similar explosion at the same site in 2007 killed one worker and injured 13.