Four dead in blast at Italian hydroelectric plant

Four people have died and several are missing following an explosion at a hydroelectric power plant in northern Italy.

Italian utility group Enel confirmed that a fire had broken out on one of its transformers at its hydro power plant in Bargi, close to Bologna, in the early afternoon.

The fire brigade said earlier that an explosion had occurred around 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) at a dam on Lake Suviana, one of three artificial lakes that feed the power station.

Marco Masinara, the mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano, said three were "badly hurt" and taken to hospital.

He added that the initial indication was that the incident was probably caused by a defect in a turbine.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on social media that she was "following with apprehension the terrible news regarding the explosion".

Enel has not commented on the cause. The company said the dam basin had not been damaged and that the plant was offline at the time of the incident so there was no impact on electricity supply.