9 People and Eni Under Investigation Following Fatal Calenzano Plant Explosion

Prato: The State Attorney’s Office in Prato has formally announced that energy conglomerate Eni Spa and nine individuals, including managers from Eni and its contractor Sergen, are under investigation. These charges stem from the catastrophic explosion on December 9, 2024, at a refinery in Calenzano, Florence, which resulted in the deaths of five workers. Prato Chief Prosecutor Luca Tescaroli made this announcement on Wednesday, outlining the charges of multiple manslaughter, culpable disaster, and personal injuries.

According to Ansa News Agency, the investigation targets seven Eni managers and two officials from Sergen. The Rome-based Eni Spa faces scrutiny for its alleged administrative responsibility concerning the manslaughter and injury charges. The prosecutor noted that the explosions were deemed “predictable and avoidable,” based on the investigation’s findings.

Tescaroli highlighted a “grave and inexcusable mistake” tied to security documentation from Eni and Sergen. The incident involved maintenance work on vapor units where an engine was used on a supply line to load oil onto tanker trucks, creating heat in a high-risk area. This occurred simultaneously with the loading operations at the Calenzano facility, which handles petrol, diesel, and kerosene and is connected to Eni’s Livorno refinery.

Eni, operational since 1956, now faces inquiries into its alleged objective responsibility. The investigation also includes the conduct of one of the nine individuals, accused of attempting to hinder the investigation by compiling a folder of documents over a month post-incident. This folder, submitted on January 27, contained Eni’s request for Sergen to remove two valves, further complicating the investigation, as explained by Tescaroli.