Italy: Fireworks factory explosion kills two in Sicily

Catania, 10 Jan. (AKI) - Two people were killed Monday and another was seriously injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in an eastern Sicilian farmhouse.

The explosion occurred at around 9:30 am in the town of Santa Venerina in Catania province. According to witnesses, the victims were a male immigrant and a man from the nearby town of Mascali. Their bodies were not immediately recovered from the building after flames were extinguished by firefighters.

Firefighters were reported to be securing the site before entering the burned structure in order to locate the two men.

The injured victim was transported by helicopter to a local hospital, according to the Giornale di Sicilia newspaper.