EXPLOSION AT AMMUNITION FACTORY

ROME, AUGUST 13 /SRNA-Reuters/ - A powerful explosion occurred at an ammunition factory near the town of Colleferro, southeast of Rome, and was heard for kilometres around, local media reported.

Initial reports indicate that the accident occurred in the gunpowder pressing section, while authorities are determining whether there are any casualties.

Firefighters and police were already at the scene responding to a fire when the explosion occurred at the former Simmel Difesa factory, operated by KNDS Ammo Italy, part of the Franco-German defense group KNDS.

Television footage showed a large column of smoke rising above the industrial site as emergency services were deployed at the scene.

The newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that firefighters were still unable to intervene and search the area due to the intense flames.

KNDS manufactures medium- and large-calibre ammunition for land and naval systems, as well as propellants and solid fuels used in aerospace systems.

According to EU documents, the company is among the contractors under the European Defense Agency’s framework agreements for 155mm ammunition concluded in 2023.