Toyota explosion, experts point to three causes: no safety and zero maintenance.

The panel of experts appointed by the Bologna Prosecutor's Office has filed the conclusions of the preliminary evidentiary hearing regarding the explosion at the Toyota Material Handling plant in Borgo Panigale, which occurred on October 23, 2024. According to the experts, the disaster, which caused the death of two workers and injured thirteen others, was determined by three main contributing causes: the absence or incorrect placement of safety devices in the tank, anomalies in the functioning of the temperature probe, and the manual activation of a thermal-magnetic circuit breaker that turned on the heating elements.

The experts further highlighted that the exploded tank was different from the one specified in the original design, lacking correctly positioned safety valves and an expansion vessel. These critical issues were exacerbated by the complete absence of maintenance on the system since 2018, unlike the heat pumps, which were subject to quarterly checks. The investigation for multiple counts of manslaughter, negligent injury, and negligent disaster involves 18 individuals under investigation, including current and former company executives, as well as the Toyota MHMI company itself.

The incident dates back almost two years, to October 23, 2024, when a heating and cooling plant at the Toyota Material Handling Manufacturing Italy facility in Borgo Panigale exploded. The explosion killed Lorenzo Cubello, 37, and Fabio Tosi, 34, and injured 13 others. The judiciary immediately launched an investigation for multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter, multiple counts of involuntary workplace injury, and involuntary disaster.

To determine the technical causes of the disaster, the Bologna Prosecutor's Office, with prosecutor Francesca Rago, appointed a panel of experts composed of professors from the Polytechnic University of Turin. Their task was to analyze the plant, a thermal storage tank that turned out to have been modified from the original design and lacked adequate safety systems. The analysis reconstructed a chain of events: a manually activated switch, a malfunctioning temperature probe, and a lack of maintenance for six years led to a pressure buildup with no means of release, causing the explosion. The judicial case, involving 18 suspects and the company, will proceed with the discussion of the expert reports before the judge at the end of November.