Blast Hits Munitions Plant Near Rome After Fire Breaks Out

A powerful explosion tore through a munitions factory near Colleferro, southeast of Rome, on Thursday, sending a large plume of smoke into the sky. The blast was reportedly heard for kilometres around the industrial site.

Firefighters and police were already on the scene responding to a fire when the explosion occurred, according to local reports. Authorities are currently assessing whether there were any casualties.

The facility affected is the former Simmel Difesa plant, now operated by KNDS Ammo Italy, a subsidiary of the Franco-German defence group KNDS. The company produces medium- and large-calibre ammunition for land and naval systems, as well as solid propellants for aerospace launch vehicles.

KNDS is among the contractors on European Defence Agency framework agreements for 155-mm ammunition concluded in 2023, according to EU documents.

Television footage showed emergency services working at the site as smoke billowed from the facility. Further details were not immediately available.