Three people have tragically lost their lives, and six others remain missing following an explosion at a hydroelectric power station near the city of Bologna in central Italy. The incident occurred at the Bargi power plant, which is operated by Enel Green Power and is situated on Lake Suviana in Italy's Apennine Mountains.

According to a local official from the Bologna prefecture, three individuals also sustained injuries in the explosion. Firefighters successfully rescued the injured workers, and efforts are underway to locate the missing individuals.

Italian firefighters shared an aerial video on social media, revealing smoke rising from underground at the power plant. The translated post accompanying the video confirmed that the three injured individuals were employees and confirmed ongoing search operations to find any remaining unaccounted for.

Mayor Marco Masinara, from the nearby town of Camugnano, disclosed that the explosion occurred approximately 100 feet below ground, at a depth of nine levels while turbine work was being conducted. He further noted the challenges faced in reaching the victims.

The Bargi power plant is partially submerged in an artificial lake, created by the construction of a dam between 1928 and 1932 in a regional park. Although the dam itself was undamaged, reports from Italian wire services indicate that flooding in the affected part of the plant complicated rescue operations, making them extremely hazardous.

Authorities have stated that it is currently impossible to determine the exact cause of the explosion. A maintenance team, believed to be working on the turbines at the core of the plant, was operating on the ninth level below ground when the blast occurred.

As rescue efforts persist, both local authorities and Enel Green Power are working closely together to gather more information and provide support to the affected families. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with electricity generation and underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols to protect workers in the industry.

It is our hope that the missing individuals are found safe and that a thorough investigation will shed light on the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident.