On the morning of 9 December 2024, a devastating explosion followed by a massive fire erupted in the tanker loading area of the Eni fuel depot in Calenzano, a suburb of Florence. The incident has resulted in five confirmed fatalities, nine injuries and two of them critical.The explosion occurred at approximately 10:15 am, sending a dense column of black smoke into the sky and prompting the evacuation of around 15 nearby industrial buildings as a precautionary measure. Three victims were truck drivers present at the depot either loading fuel or waiting for their turn. The tragic toll has deeply shocked the local community and raised questions about safety measures at the facility.
The Florence Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on potential criminal liabilities. Early indications suggest that a fuel leak during the loading process may have triggered the explosion. At the time of the accident, several tankers were positioned in the loading bays. Witnesses reported seeing a significant fuel spill moments before the blast, which may have been a critical factor.
Several other drivers narrowly escaped the deadly incident, though some sustained injuries. Marco Giannini, a survivor described as “miraculously lucky,” was in his truck when the explosion’s shockwave shattered its windows, leaving him with facial injuries. Another driver, who noticed a fuel leak and smelled petrol, fled to a nearby office building moments before the explosion. His account is expected to play a vital role in reconstructing the sequence of events. The Eni depot at Calenzano is a crucial hub for fuel distribution in central Italy, supplied via pipeline from the Eni refinery in Livorno.
