The inquiry into the explosion at the Eni hydrocarbons depot in Calenzano, near Florence, has led prosecutors to formally notify nine individuals, including seven executives from the oil company Eni and two from the Sergen firm, as well as the company Eni itself. The alleged offences identified by the Public Prosecutor's Office in Prato include multiple counts of manslaughter, negligent disaster, and causing personal injuries. Investigators stated that the incident was "predictable and avoidable". The prosecutors' reconstruction indicates the presence of an elevating platform at the site of the explosion, which "generated heat in a high-risk area at a time when tanker-loading operations were being carried out simultaneously".
The serious incident occurred at the fuel-loading bay while tankers were being filled. Within moments, four explosions occurred, triggering a large fire that also severely damaged nearby buildings. The explosion led to the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 28 others, among them maintenance workers and lorry drivers.
According to investigators' reconstruction, maintenance works carried out by Sergen were taking place at the same time as petrol-loading operations, specifically involving a disused distribution line being converted for biofuel loading. The elevating platform, identified as the trigger of the explosion, was being used for these works, and its diesel engine generated the heat that ignited petrol vapours. Prosecutors stated the maintenance activities were incompatible with fuel-loading operations, noting that closure of fuel dispensers had been scheduled between 9:00 and 15:00, but this did not occur, thereby setting the conditions for the accident.
Investigators also highlighted gaps in safety documentation and the procedures undertaken at the depot, and suspect interference with the inquiry, alleging that documents produced after the accident were placed into a folder shared by Eni and Sergen. Eni stated it is cooperating fully with the investigation and has committed to compensating the victims' relatives and addressing damage to the surrounding area.
