Three firefighters have been killed in an explosion as they responded to an earlier blast in north-west Italy.
Emergency services responded to an initial explosion before a second stronger one erupted early on Tuesday, according to reports.
Sky TG24 reported the firefighters were responding to a report in a disused section of a farm building in Quargnento, in the Alessandria province, when the second blast hit.
The news agency ANSA said authorities were investigating whether the explosion was deliberate.
One of the dead was buried under rubble, with the body only recovered after hours of digging.
Images from the scene showed firefighters sorting through debris after the tragedy.
An ambulance was on the scene while a cordon was also in place.
Additional reporting by agencies.
