- A truck exploded on a motorway near Bologna Airport on Monday.
- It was an accident, but two people have died.
- At least 70 people are also injured.
- Two cars on the motorway also blew up after the truck’s combustion, according to Italian media.
A truck exploded on a motorway near Bologna Airport, leaving two people dead, and sending a giant fireball into the sky.
The accident took place around 2 p.m. local time in Borgo Panigale, an area on Bologna’s outskirts, Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano reported.
The truck had been transporting flammable substances, the Associated Press reported, citing Italy’s ANSA news agency.
At least two people died and about 70 others are injured, Italian police confirmed. Fourteen people are seriously injured, La Repubblica reported, citing local police.
Following the truck's combustion, two more cars on the motorway also blew up, causing multiple explosions, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The newspaper described the episode as "an apocalyptic scenario."
The bridge also partially collapsed, as can be seen in the video below:
#bologna #BORGOPANIGALE Sul posto la #PoliziaStradale sta predisponendo modifiche alla viabilità perché il tratto è chiuso. Si sconsiglia di avvicinarsi alla zona pic.twitter.com/BhYKiRVy4u
— Polizia di Stato (@poliziadistato) August 6, 2018
Bologna Airport confirmed the explosion but said it had not been involved or affected. It added that flights would continue to run regularly. Local police closed the road in both directions, the Evening Standard reported.
Watch the dramatic scene unfold from various angles in the photos and videos below:
#bologna #BorgoPanigale Le immagini della dinamica del grave incidente che ha coinvolto anche un mezzo che trasportava sostanze infiammabili. Indagini in corso #PoliziaStradale pic.twitter.com/aS8NKxTaoA
— Polizia di Stato (@poliziadistato) August 6, 2018
http://instagr.am/p/BmI4mw9HreC
#bologna #esplosione video pic.twitter.com/TkuRNV2erJ
— Il Gurzo del Borneo meridionale.🇮🇹🧱 (@dantess68) August 6, 2018
#BREAKING: Massive explosion and fire near #Bologna Airport, #Italy. Fire seems to have occurred after a truck delivering cars/vans went up in flames. pic.twitter.com/vQvcqXEjr5
— Instant News Alerts (@InstaNewsAlerts) August 6, 2018