Explosion at Ritom hydroelectric plant in Piotta kills two workers

Two workers have died following an explosion that occurred this morning shortly after 9.30am at the old Ritom hydroelectric plant in Piotta, in upper Leventina. The cantonal police reported the deaths.

The alarm was raised at the joint emergency centre (CECAL), which reported a fire inside the building. Cantonal police officers, firefighters from Biasca, upper Leventina and Bellinzona, and rescuers from Tre Valli Soccorso and Rega responded to the scene.

At the time of the incident, two workers were on site. According to initial findings, for reasons still to be established, an explosion occurred that involved both of them. The victims are a 55-year-old Swiss man living in the Lugano area and an 18-year-old Swiss apprentice living in Leventina.

The explosion caused extensive damage to the building. The exact course of events is now the subject of an investigation led by public prosecutor Valentina Tuoni. Psychological support from the Care Team was offered to those affected.

The old Ritom plant, built in 1917, is undergoing renovation as part of a wider project to overhaul the facility. Construction on the new plant is expected to be completed within a few months. New electrical machinery had recently been installed in the historic building where the accident took place.

AET, SBB and the government express condolences

SBB, which owns the plant, and Azienda elettrica ticinese (AET), the employer of the two workers, expressed their deep condolences for the victims in a joint statement. AET director Roberto Pronini and Nicolas Ecoffey, SBB's head of energy, said they were shaken by the accident and expressed sympathy to the families. The two companies said they would analyse the incident to understand its causes and draw the necessary lessons.

The cantonal government also expressed, on behalf of the population of Ticino, its condolences and solidarity with the families of the two workers. What remains to be seen is what lessons SBB and AET will draw from the accident, as announced in their statement, and what additional measures will be taken to protect the safety of workers on construction sites at the canton's energy facilities.