2 weeks ago
Fire, Explosion Rock KNDS Ammunition Plant Near Rome
An ammunition factory makes bullets, rockets, and other things that soldiers and the navy use.
A big fire and several explosions happened at one of these factories near Rome, the capital city of Italy.
The fire began in the part of the factory where powder is pressed into the shapes used in ammunition.
Workers were told to leave the building so nobody would get hurt.
Luckily, no one was injured.
Firefighters arrived quickly and almost put the fire out by the afternoon.
The people in charge are still trying to figure out what caused the blast.
Making ammunition is dangerous work because the materials are explosive.
This accident shows that making more weapons for Europe comes with safety risks.
An explosion and fire struck the KNDS Ammo Italy plant in Colleferro, about 60 kilometers southeast of Rome.
No injuries were reported, and company personnel were evacuated after the blast on Thursday.
The fire broke out in the plant's powder pressing department and was almost extinguished by Thursday afternoon.
The facility, formerly Simmel Difesa, produces medium and large-caliber ammunition, propellant powders, fuzes, grenades, missile warheads, and rockets.
The cause remains under investigation; the incident highlights industrial safety risks amid Europe's defense buildup, following a January 2025 Rheinmetall AG plant fire in Murcia, Spain.
- Who
- KNDS NV's KNDS Ammo Italy plant (formerly Simmel Difesa) in Colleferro, near Rome, Italy
- What
- A fire and explosions in the powder pressing department prompted an evacuation of personnel; no injuries were reported
- Where
- Colleferro, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) southeast of Rome, Italy
- When
- Thursday
- Why
- The cause is under investigation; the incident underscores industrial safety risks in Europe's ongoing defense buildup
Key facts
- Company
- KNDS NV (KNDS Ammo Italy, formerly Simmel Difesa)
- Location
- Colleferro, about 60 km (37 miles) southeast of Rome, Italy
- Incident
- Explosion and fire in the powder pressing department
- Injuries
- None reported
- Response
- Personnel evacuated; fire nearly extinguished by Thursday afternoon
- Products
- Medium and large-caliber ammunition, propellant powders, fuzes, grenades, missile warheads, rockets
- Status
- Cause and sequence of events under investigation by teams on site
- Context
- Occurred during a European heat wave; follows a January 2025 Rheinmetall AG plant fire in Murcia, Spain
Quotes
Company representative
Emailed statement from KNDS NV
“"The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently being investigated and assessed by the teams on site."”
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