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Two killed in explosion at hydroelectric plant in Switzerland

By Thomson Reuters Sep 9, 2026 | 5:23 AM

ZURICH, Sept 9 (Reuters) – Two workers were killed on Wednesday after an ​explosion at an old ‌hydroelectric power plant in southern Switzerland, local authorities said.

The workplace accident occurred after a ‌fire ​at the ⁠plant in the ⁠village of Piotta that engulfed the two men, who later died from their ​injuries, police in the canton of Ticino ⁠said.

One of the ⁠dead workers was ​a 55-year-old Swiss man; the ​other man is still being ‌identified, police said.

The incident also caused extensive damage to the building, and ⁠the causes and exact circumstances are still under investigation, police said ⁠in ‌a statement.

State broadcaster ⁠RSI said the ​old ‌power plant is currently ​being ⁠renovated as part of plans to reconfigure the facility.

(Reporting by Marleen Kaesebier and Dave Graham, editing by ​Thomas Seythal)