Vigil for nine dead in factory explosion

(ANSA) - Bari, July 27 - 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.