Italy explosion: Several dead after blast at fireworks factory in Sicily

One person remains missing after survivor recovered from rubble

(Rai Radio1/Twitter)

Several people have died and others are missing after an explosion at a fireworks factory in Sicily, according to local emergency services.

Four people were killed and four wounded in the blast in the town of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, La Repubblica reported.

One person was recovered from the rubble and another remains missing.

The wounded were sent to local burn centres.

The paper said one of the victims was the owner’s wife.

The explosion may have been caused when workers were welding some iron gates.

An investigation has been launched into the explosion.

The factory had suffered another explosion around 20 years ago, according to La Repubblica, which said there were no deaths at the time.