Key facts
- A large explosion occurred at a munitions factory near Colleferro, Italy.
- The factory is operated by KNDS Ammo Italy, part of the Franco-German defence group KNDS.
- Emergency services were already present due to a prior fire when the explosion took place.
- KNDS Ammo Italy manufactures ammunition for land and naval defence systems, as well as solid propellants for aerospace.
A significant explosion occurred at a munitions factory in Colleferro, southeast of Rome, on Thursday. The blast was heard for miles around and generated a large plume of smoke visible from afar. Firefighters and police were already on the scene responding to a fire at the facility when the explosion took place. The factory is operated by KNDS Ammo Italy, a subsidiary of the Franco-German defence group KNDS, which manufactures medium- and large-calibre ammunition and solid propellants for aerospace vehicles. Authorities are currently assessing the situation to determine if there were any casualties. KNDS Ammo Italy is listed as a contractor for European Defence Agency 155-mm ammunition framework agreements.