As the death toll rose to nine
following a fiery explosion at a fireworks factory in southern
Italy, the community prepared Monday for an evening prayer
vigil.
The 43-year-old co-owner of the Bruscella plant in Modugno,
Michele Bruscella, succumbed to his serious burns from the
explosion and died in intensive care on Sunday following
Friday's deadly explosion.
He became the ninth fatality from the mid-afternoon
explosion near Bari that is under police investigation.
Two other people who were seriously injured in the blast
remained in hospital, including Vincenzo Bruscella, uncle of
Michele Bruscella and co-owner of the factory.
The third person seriously injured was Vincenzo Armenise,
brother-in-law of Michele Bruscella.
Other workers suffered minor injuries in the explosion.
The mayor of Modugno, Nicola Magrone, said the community
expected a "large public event of solidarity" Monday night, with
a candlelight vigil and a silent march to the site of the
disaster.
Meanwhile, investigators said they expected to be allowed
better access to the factory on Monday after being delayed due
to fears of unexploded devices still within the perimeter of the
site of the disaster.
A bomb squad reportedly finished sweeping the site, still
smoking from the fire that followed the blast, for dangerous
devices on Sunday.
Investigators said some of the dead were identified by
their jewelry and other personal objects such as necklaces and
bracelets.
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