Two people have been severely injured following an explosion at the Ritom hydroelectric power station in Piotta, southern Switzerland, on Wednesday morning.
Emergency services cordoned off the site immediately after the blast, which occurred at approximately 9:30 am and caused part of the facility building to collapse.
A major rescue operation was launched at the plant, with emergency teams working to secure the damaged site and assist those affected.
Strong forces from the local fire department, emergency medical rescuers, police officers, and a specialized helicopter from the REGA air rescue service were dispatched to the location.
According to Swiss network RSI, the explosion caused part of the building at the installation to collapse, leaving two individuals with severe injuries. The broadcaster noted that the underlying cause of the blast remains unknown.
Local news outlet Ticinonews, citing emergency reporting service Rescue Media, also confirmed that part of the plant structure collapsed following the explosion.
Emergency response in Ticino
Piotta is an Alpine village situated in the Leventina valley within Ticino, the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Ticino is an Italian-speaking region located on the southern slopes of the Alps, bordering Italy. The Ritom plant is a well-known hydroelectric power station in the valley, generating electricity by harnessing water from Lake Ritom high above the district.
REGA, formally known as Swiss Air-Rescue, is a non-profit foundation that operates emergency medical helicopters and air ambulances throughout Switzerland. It frequently responds to serious accidents in remote Alpine locations. RSI, short for Radiotelevisione svizzera, is the primary public broadcasting network serving Italian-speaking Switzerland. Ticinonews is a regional digital news outlet covering local events across the canton.
Investigation launched into plant explosion
Authorities stated that the precise cause of the blast has not yet been determined, and no details have been released regarding what triggered the incident inside the building.
Swiss authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to establish the full circumstances under which it occurred.
Hydroelectric power is a cornerstone of Switzerland's domestic energy production. Facilities across the country convert the potential energy of water stored in high-altitude reservoirs into electrical power, providing clean energy to the national grid and supporting the Swiss railway network.
