Explosion at Italian ammunition factory near Rome

A powerful explosion struck an ammunition factory near Colleferro, Italy, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, following a fire at the facility. Emergency services responded to the site, and officials confirmed there were no immediate reports of injuries or casualties.

The incident occurred at a plant owned by the European defense group KNDS, located about 40 kilometers southeast of Rome. The facility, formerly known as Simmel Difesa, manufactures medium and large-caliber ammunition for land and naval defense systems, as well as solid propellants for aerospace launch vehicles. According to multiple reports, the fire began in the powder-pressing department before the explosion occurred.

Firefighters and police were already at the scene responding to the initial fire when the blast happened. The Colleferro mayor, Giulio Calamita, stated that the situation was under control and that efforts were underway to extinguish the remaining fires. He noted that the explosion occurred during the summer vacation period when the plant was closed, which likely prevented a tragedy.

Employees at the facility sheltered in secure areas during the incident, according to the AGI news agency. The Lazio...