The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Prato has issued notices of investigation to Eni SpA and nine individuals in connection with the explosion at the Eni fuel depot in Calenzano (Florence) on December 9, 2024. The explosion resulted in the deaths of five workers and caused significant material damage. Among those under investigation are seven Eni executives and two individuals from the contractor company Sergen.
Charges and Investigations
The charges include multiple counts of manslaughter, negligent disaster, and personal injury. Eni SpA is also under investigation under Legislative Decree 231, which establishes corporate liability for crimes committed by employees in the company’s interest. Prosecutor Luca Tescaroli revealed that the explosion could have been prevented if proper safety protocols and risk assessments had been followed.
Investigators determined that maintenance work was being carried out simultaneously with the loading of tanker trucks, a practice that should not have been allowed. The prosecution’s expert analysis identified a serious and inexcusable safety oversight, pointing to the use of an aerial platform by Sergen workers as a potential trigger for the explosion. The prosecution has requested a judicial inquiry to conduct an expert examination of the incident’s causes.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering
The investigation has also uncovered an alleged attempt to obstruct justice. Authorities found that documents were added to a shared folder between Eni and Sergen after the explosion, suggesting an effort to manipulate evidence and obscure responsibility.
Prosecutors argue that maintenance operations should not have taken place while fuel transfer activities were ongoing. According to their calculations, stopping fuel transfers from 9 AM to 3 PM on the day of the explosion would have resulted in an estimated loss of €255,000 in revenue.
Eni’s Response
Eni has acknowledged the notices of investigation and stated its commitment to fully cooperating with authorities. The company reaffirmed its willingness to identify the causes of the accident and has pledged to compensate the victims’ families and address civil damages in the affected area.
As the judicial process continues, the case raises critical concerns about safety standards and corporate accountability in industrial operations.
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