A powerful explosion at the Ecopartenope waste oil treatment plant in Marcianise on Friday killed three people, injured two others, and triggered an official inquiry.
Key Facts Summary
- Date & location: 19 September 2025, Ecopartenope plant, Marcianise, Caserta, near Naples.
- Deaths: 3 (Pasquale De Vita, Ciro Minopoli, Antonio Donadeo)
- Injuries: 2 slightly injured, no persons currently missing.
- Cause (preliminary): Welding spark, contact with gas from waste oil in a silo.
- Previous safety concerns: In 2018, irregularities including inadequate fire safety installations and excessive waste storage; suspended by local authority, later reinstated by court. Recent update to environmental permits in 2024.
- Investigation: Opened by State Police and Public Prosecutor of Santa Maria Capua Vetere; Fire Brigade, ASL, and other agencies collecting evidence.
New information has clarified earlier uncertainties about missing persons, the victims’ identities, and the possible cause of the blast.
On Friday afternoon, during maintenance work at the Ecopartenope facilities, a blast occurred in a silo used to store waste oil. According to the fire brigade, the explosion was most likely triggered by a spark during welding, which came into contact with gases from the stored oil. The force of the explosion tore off the top of the silo and parts of the roof structure, sending debris flying, and threw the workers several meters.
Among the dead are the plant’s owner (administrator) Pasquale De Vita and two employees, Ciro Minopoli and Antonio Donadeo. Two others survived with minor injuries. Early reports of a fourth person being missing have now been confirmed false. All victims have been accounted for.
Authorities from the State Police, fire brigade, and health agency (ASL Caserta) sealed off the site and launched investigations. The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Santa Maria Capua Vetere is set to open a formal criminal file once initial evidence collection is complete.
Previous H&S irregularities at plant
Beyond the immediate tragedy, background reports show that Ecopartenope had previously come under scrutiny in 2018 for serious safety and environmental irregularities. At that time there were issues with fire-safety systems being incomplete or non-functional and quantities of waste exceeding permitted limits. An earlier mayoral order to suspend operations was later overturned by a regional administrative court. Ownership of the plant has changed since then. A substantial revision of the plant’s environmental authorisation (AIA) took place in December 2024.
The mayor of Marcianise expressed deep anger and grief, calling for more stringent enforcement of safety laws and demanding that this kind of workplace loss must no longer be accepted as inevitable. Unions have echoed the demand for answers, citing this as another preventable death in what they call a system that does not sufficiently protect workers.
