One person killed, one injured in explosion at factory near Chieti

One person is dead and another is

injured after an explosion early on Thursday at a factory where

military munitions are decommissioned and dismantled in

Casalbordino, in the central province of Chieti, sources said.

It is third fatal explosion at the Sabino Esplodenti plant in

recent years.

Three workers were also killed in a explosion there in December

2020 and another three victims died in a blast in September

2023.

A 48-year-old man, meanwhile, died in a separate workplace

accident at a worksite in Sesto Fiorentino, near Florence.

The worker was hit by falling machinery, according to initial

reports.

Workplace deaths are in fact a major problem in Italy and

Premier Giorgia Meloni's government has said boosting health and

safety is a big priority.

In November the cabinet launched a digital badge for contractors

and sub-contractors on construction sites, aimed at improving

safety.

Trade unions say an average of three workers a day die in

workplace accidents in Italy.

Thursday's explosion comes a day after two people, a 30-year-old

man and his 60-year-old woman, were killed a blast at a

fireworks factory in the town of Sant'Anatolia di Borgorose, in

the central Italian province of Rieti.

The two were relatives of three people killed in an explosion at

the same facility in 2023.

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