Dozens of floral tributes were placed on the external wall of Toyota Material Handling in Bargellino, Bologna, where two workers, Lorenzo Cubello (37) and Fabio Tosi (34), lost their lives yesterday following an explosion. Eleven others were injured, one of them seriously.
Since early this morning, despite the rain, over 50 colleagues and friends of the victims have gathered outside the factory gates to pay their respects. One of the workers leaves behind a partner who is expecting their child. A colleague shared this heartbreaking detail with journalists outside the factory.
The explosion, which caused part of the warehouse to collapse, is believed to have originated from an air conditioning system housing a compressor. This morning, firefighters, led by engineer Massimiliano Russo, Deputy Director of the Bologna Fire Department, inspected the site alongside the prosecutor’s office. Further investigations are ongoing, conducted by firefighters, the carabinieri, and the Local Health Authority.
The affected area, currently under sequestration, is part of a logistics department containing air conditioning systems and a warehouse used by external companies contracted for maintenance. Investigators will need to determine whether the two workers, both Toyota employees, died as a result of the explosion or the subsequent collapse of the warehouse.
Different approach to business and safety needed
Maurizio Landini, Secretary of the CGIL, commented on the tragedy during the Legacoop Biennial of Economics, stating, “Years ago, Toyota was a model company with zero accidents and deaths. Today, we face an alarming rise in workplace accidents, with three fatalities a day in our country. This tragedy shows that a different approach to business is needed—one that prioritises workers and their safety.”
The explosion occurred late yesterday afternoon in a city still recovering from recent floods. Toyota Material Handling, located in the Borgo Panigale area of Bologna, is a major player in the region’s mechanical district, employing around 850 people.
One worker died instantly, while the second passed away after being taken to Maggiore Hospital. Among the injured, one remains in serious condition, with the others receiving treatment in local hospitals, although their injuries are not life-threatening.
The explosion, felt across much of the city, prompted workers and their families to gather in front of the factory gates. The local health authority also dispatched a psychologist to support the victims’ families and the traumatised workers.
“Another workplace massacre”
Bologna’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, called the incident “yet another workplace massacre.” Six months ago, Bologna suffered another fatal workplace accident when seven technicians lost their lives at the Suviana hydroelectric plant.
Union delegates at Toyota had already planned a two-hour strike for today, demanding greater attention to workplace safety. Gian Pietro Montanari of Fiom-Cgil said, “This isn’t the worst company, but we need to verify if proper maintenance was conducted. There had been strikes in the past over safety concerns, and there was a previous fire in the paint shop.”
Tomorrow, the metalworkers’ unions Fiom-Cgil, Fim-Cisl, and Uilm-Uil have called for an eight-hour strike across the Bologna metropolitan area. While there won’t be a march, mourning drapes will be displayed in companies out of respect for the victims. Fiom Secretary Simone Selmi emphasised the need for a systematic approach to safety, urging all parties, including institutions, businesses, and unions, to collaborate and raise safety standards across the region.
