Sicily: Five dead in explosion at fireworks factory

At least five people were killed by two detonations in a fireworks factory in Sicily. The explosions occurred in the warehouse of the company Costa in the city of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, communicated fire department and police on Wednesday. Among the dead were therefore two workers and the 71-year-old wife of the company owner. The prosecutor initiated investigations.

The son of the owner had reportedly tried in vain to save his mother. He was hospitalized with three other seriously injured people. One of the injured had later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, said the fire department.

A missing worker was found dead after the accident in the rubble. Another employee was rescued alive. The fire department continued the search for more victims. Investigators are based on initial findings from the fact that sparks during welding led to the explosions, as a police spokesman said.

The employees of the company Costa prepared for firefighters on the New Year's Eve celebrations, which are traditionally celebrated in the south of Italy with fireworks. In the preparations for the annual celebrations, it always comes back to fatal accidents.