Explosion and building collapse at Ritom power plant in Switzerland injure two workers
Two people sustained serious injuries following an explosion and partial building collapse at the Ritom hydroelectric plant in Piotta, Switzerland, on Wednesday morning.
Emergency response in Piotta
An explosion and structural collapse occurred at the Ritom hydroelectric power plant in Piotta on Wednesday morning, 9 September 2026. The incident occurred shortly after 09:30 in the municipality of Quinto, located in the Leventina valley of Canton Ticino. Initial reports from regional emergency monitoring services indicated that the blast prompted immediate alarm calls from local residents and plant personnel. Two people suffered serious injuries in the incident, which cantonal officials designated as a workplace accident. Emergency dispatchers mobilized units from across the region to secure the area and provide immediate medical treatment. Ticino Cantonal Police established a safety perimeter around the complex and restricted access to the site.
Firefighters from the Biasca fire department and paramedics from Tre Valli Soccorso deployed to the facility alongside police patrols. Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega) dispatched an emergency helicopter to the scene to assist in treating and evacuating the injured victims. Cantonal police confirmed to news agencies that a large rescue operation was underway across the industrial complex.
Patrols are in action, but it is premature to provide further details.
Infrastructure and damage assessment
The explosion resulted in the partial collapse of the plant building, scattering structural debris across the facility grounds. First responders focused on stabilising the damaged portions of the building while ensuring that no additional personnel remained trapped inside. Emergency teams cordoned off adjacent transit paths to prevent unauthorized entry while technical teams assessed the risk of secondary structural collapses. Ticino Cantonal Police confirmed two severe casualties and noted that physical damage to the building was substantial. Authorities have not yet established the exact physical origin or technical trigger of the blast.
Investigators are currently determining whether the explosion originated within the operating 1917 plant or inside the adjacent new construction zone. The Ritom storage power station is an essential utility installation that supplies water to Canton Ticino and electrical power to the Gotthard rail line. Cantonal authorities announced that an inquiry into the exact circumstances and sequence of events is in progress, with additional official information to follow upon the completion of site inspections.
- SBB
- 75 %
- Azienda Elettrica Ticinese
- 25 %
Site history and expansion project
The Ritom storage power station was originally built in 1917 to generate electricity for rail traffic along the Gotthard line. The plant is operated by Ritom SA, an entity held jointly by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), which owns a 75% stake, and the cantonal energy provider Azienda Elettrica Ticinese (AET), which holds the remaining 25%. In addition to rail power generation, the installation plays a central role in regional water management for the canton.
- Original Ritom storage power plant is built
- Construction starts on a new plant adjacent to the existing facility
- Explosion and partial building collapse occur shortly after 09:30
- Scheduled commissioning of the new power facility
A renewal project has been underway at the location since 2018, involving the construction of a new power plant directly beside the century-old structure. SBB scheduled the commissioning of this new facility for 2027 to replace aging equipment and increase operational reliability for the railway network. Officials have not stated whether Wednesday's blast and structural damage will alter the projected 2027 commissioning timetable.
