At least four dead and three missing in massive explosion at power plant in Italy

AT LEAST four people have been killed in a horror explosion at a power plant in Italy.

It is believed that five others were injured in the terrifying underwater blast with three others still missing.

Four people have died in an explosion in Italy

Vigili del Fuoco

Five others were injured in the terrifying blast with three others still missing[/caption]

Vigili del Fuoco

The underwater blast happened on Lake Suviana, Bargi[/caption]

The explosion happened at around 3pm local time (1pm in the UK) at the dam on Lake Suviana, Bargi, near to Bologna and Florence, say fire brigade officials.

Utility group Enel Green Power said a fire savagely broke out on one of its transformers at the hydroelectric power plant.

Officials said searches will continue for the coming hours and could see them reach up to 131ft underground in the rescue operations.

Francesco Notaro, regional director of the fire brigade, later said that “although the explosion caused flooding, it could be that after the explosion they found shelter somewhere else on the slab. The hope is finding someone else alive.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had been updated on the “terrible news”.

She added: “All my closeness and that of the government to the families of the victims and the injured involved.

“Thanks to the firefighters who promptly intervened, to the rescuers and to those who are working in these hours in the search for the missing.”

Enel Green Power gave a statement to AFP saying “a fire affected one of the two groups of the Bargi plant”.

“Following investigations, the dam basin of the Bargi plant was not damaged and is safe,” it continued.

“The company informs that it is continuing to operate in line with all the necessary safety measures as per internal procedures to guarantee the evacuation of its staff.”

Production was reportedly instantly stopped.