Explosion Hits Ammunition Factory near Rome

A powerful explosion rocked an ammunition factory near the town of Colleferro, southeast of Rome, on Thursday. The blast could reportedly be heard from several kilometers away. According to local media, firefighters and police were already on the scene at the time, responding to a fire.

Authorities were investigating whether the explosion caused any injuries or fatalities.

The incident occurred at the former Simmel Difesa plant, now operated by KNDS Ammo Italy, a subsidiary of the Franco-German defense contractor KNDS.

The plant specializes in the production of medium- and large-caliber ammunition for land and naval defense systems, as well as solid propellant for launch vehicles. It is also known as one of the suppliers of 155-millimeter ammunition to the European Defense Agency.

(Reuters, Max)