Large explosion rips through Italian munitions factory

ROME, Aug 13 - A powerful explosion ripped through a munitions factory near the town of Colleferro, southeast of Rome, on Thursday, local media reported, with the blast heard for kilometres around.

Firefighters and police were already at the site responding to a fire when the explosion occurred, reports said. Authorities were assessing whether there were any casualties.

The blast was reported at the former Simmel Difesa plant, now operated by KNDS Ammo Italy, part of the Franco-German defence group KNDS.

KNDS Ammo manufactures medium- and large-calibre ammunition for land and naval defence systems, as well as solid propellants for aerospace launch vehicles, according to its website.

The company is among the contractors on European Defence Agency 155-mm ammunition framework agreements concluded in 2023, EU documents show.

Television footage showed a large plume of smoke rising above the industrial site as emergency services worked in the area. Further details were not immediately available. REUTERS