An explosion at a hydroelectric power plant in northern Italy has resulted in the death of three individuals and left four others missing. The incident occurred underwater at the Lake Suviana plant, situated 70km (43 miles) away from Bologna, on Tuesday.

Rescue efforts face significant challenges due to the explosion's location 30m (100ft) below the lake's surface, which is now entirely submerged.

Five individuals sustained serious injuries, suffering severe burns, and were airlifted to nearby hospitals. Two of them are reportedly in critical condition in intensive care units, as per Italian media reports.

The deceased, all contractors aged between 36 and 73, are believed to include two individuals from southern Italy and one Romanian, although this information remains unconfirmed.

The explosion is suspected to have occurred when a turbine on the eighth underwater level malfunctioned, leading to flooding on the lower floor.

Despite rescue efforts, including by divers, access to the submerged area remains challenging. A diver involved in the operation reported reaching the seventh underwater level but was unable to reach the trapped individuals further below.

Matteo Lepore, the Mayor of Bologna, visited the site and described the conditions faced by search teams as "really complicated." He characterized the incident as one of the most severe workplace tragedies in Italy's recent history.

The mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano, Marco Masinara, said: "Everyone around here cares about the plant which has never been a source of danger but one of employment."

He said that the man who was most seriously injured was a young man from the area who was in the process of starting a family.

The city's chief prosecutor, Giuseppe Amato, told Italian media an investigation would be launched once the plant was safe and the missing people were found.

Regional fire chief Francesco Notaro said firefighters and police "are all trying to secure the facility".

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, but what happened is likely to fuel concerns expressed by trade unions about workplace safety in Italy.

Two of the country's largest unions were already due to hold a four-hour nationwide strike on Thursday to protest over the issue.

Lake Suviana is an artificial lake located in the Appennine mountain range near Bologna. The lake was formed following the construction of a dam in 1932.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X, formerly Twitter, to thank the rescue services and say she was "anxiously" following news on the explosion.

The power plant is owned by Enel Green Power, a subsidiary of Italian energy giant Enel. The company expressed its deepest condolences and closeness to all the victims and their families and said that while there was no indication that the dam had suffered any damage, the power plant had stopped production.

Too bad