Mother and son killed in Italian fireworks factory explosion

A mother and son were killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Torano di Borgorose, in the province of Rieti, central Italy. Simone Cole, 30, an employee at the Pirotecnica Mattei factory, and his mother, Teresa Tocci, 60, were found in the wreckage, local authorities announced.

Two other workers were injured in the blast, according to firefighters. The tragedy brings back painful memories of a similar incident at the same factory in July 2023, which resulted in three deaths: Franco Cole, Simone's uncle, and his two children, Anna and Claudio. The owners of the company, Fabrizio and Gaetano Mattei, were convicted last year for storing explosives in an unauthorized area, undeclared labor, and manslaughter. They received a four-year prison sentence.

Despite the previous convictions, the factory had reopened after securing a new license for fireworks production and sales. The CGIL trade union confederation emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the causes of the explosion, swift determination of responsibility, and verification of compliance with all health and safety regulations for workers.

This is not the first fatal incident at a fireworks factory owned by the Mattei family. An explosion in 1983 killed six people, including three family members. The company's history of accidents raises serious questions about safety protocols and regulatory oversight in the fireworks industry.

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it is necessary to shed ample light on the causes of the explosion, to quickly determine responsibilities, and to verify compliance with all health and safety regulations for workers.