Shock moment ammunition factory explodes as huge blast sends mushroom cloud into sky but firefighters can’t battle blaze

THIS is the moment an ammunition factory exploded sending a massive mushroom cloud into the sky, as emergency crews struggling to contain the blaze. The violent explosion rocked the major arms factory – which supplies weapons and munitions to Ukraine – near Rome, Italy, on Thursday. A giant mushroom explosion erupted at an ammunitions factory near Rome Credit: x.com/@clashreport The factory exploded around 4pm Credit: x.com/@clashreport Dramatic footage captures the towering mushroom cloud which was visible for miles. The deafening boom ripped through the area around 4pm, prompting terrified locals to raise the alarm. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Firefighters rushed to the scene near Colleferro – 40km from Italy’s capital – where “complex operations” began. Several fire brigade teams were deployed to the site but were not immediately able to enter the facility due to the severity of the blaze, local media report. The explosion could be hear for miles Credit: x.com/@clashreport No injuries have been reported as a result of the explosion Credit: x.com/@clashreport Videos shared on social media showed a fire at the factory followed by a massive explosion. Employees were forced to shelter in secure areas at the facility, according to AGI news agency There are currently no reports of casualties or injuries. Officials say the blaze likely originated from the powder-pressing department. Most read in The Sun The explosion occurred near Colleferro, 40km from Rome Credit: x.com/@clashreport Firefighters struggled to control the blaze Credit: x.com/@clashreport In a post to Facebook, Colleferro Mayor Giulio Calamita said the incident caused “a huge scare”. The alarm was raised shortly after 4:00 PM, when the supersonic bang was heard from a distance. He said: “The fright is great, but right now it is essential to keep calm and, above all, to avoid spreading untrue information, such as that relating to the 2007 accident which is once again circulating.” His post referenced a major explosion at the same plant in October 2007 which killed one worker and left 13 others injured. The plant is owned by European defence group KNDS and manufactures medium and large-calibre ammunition. The munition is typically used for naval and land defence and is relied upon by Ukraine’s forces. The cause of the blaze is unknown. Investigations are underway to reconstruct the events of the explosion and determine what caused the roar. Police and emergency services remain on scene. Comment now