Two employees lost their lives following a fire and explosion at the Ritom Hydroelectric Power Station located in the village of Piotta in southern Switzerland. The incident occurred on Wednesday, according to local authorities.
Police reported that the blaze began at the facility in the canton of Ticino at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT). The fire trapped two workers inside the plant. Shortly thereafter, an explosion struck the site, causing severe structural damage and inflicting critical injuries on the men. Both individuals succumbed to their wounds shortly after the blast.
Authorities identified one of the victims as a 55-year-old Swiss citizen, while the identity of the second worker has not yet been released.
State prosecutors have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fatal incident. The power station, which is owned by Swiss rail carrier SBB, is currently undergoing renovations as part of a project to reconfigure the 100-year-old site.
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