Explosion at Italian villa kills Singaporean man, leaves Taiwanese partner missing

An explosion at a villa in Molazzana, Italy, on Saturday night, 21 December 2024, killed a Singaporean man and left his Taiwanese partner missing. Local authorities suspect the incident was caused by a gas leak, which led to the collapse of the house.

According to Italian news outlet Il Tirreno, the explosion occurred shortly after the couple returned from dinner.

The woman, identified as Chang Kai En, is believed to have entered the house first, with the man, named as Mr Seetoh Kwok Meng, lingering outside.

The body of Mr Seetoh was found near the house early on Sunday morning, while Ms Chang remains unaccounted for.

Emergency responders, including firefighters and civil protection volunteers, are continuing search operations.

Authorities revealed that the villa’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank, located outside the house, did not catch fire.

The boiler, also situated externally, remained intact. Initial investigations indicate the explosion was caused by a gas pocket accumulating inside the villa.

“The explosion caused the perimeter walls to be cut and the floors to collapse,” said a fire department official.

Un uomo è morto ed una donna risulta dispersa sotto le macerie dopo un’esplosione avvenuta in una villetta in Garfagnana, probabilmente per una fuga di gas. Il boato intorno alla mezzanotte tra sabato e domenica a Molazzana (Lucca). pic.twitter.com/zHky14GgeN

— Local Team (@localteamit) December 22, 2024

Italian news site La Nazione reported that when emergency teams arrived, they found the villa completely destroyed, with some sections still ablaze.

Clothing and furniture were scattered across the area, with some garments caught in nearby tree branches.

Photos of the aftermath show the villa’s roof resting on rubble piles, as rescuers comb through debris.

The couple, who had planned to spend Christmas in Molazzana, were well-known and liked by locals.

According to Mayor Andrea Talani, the pair had a strong bond with the community, despite language barriers.

“They were known and well-liked by everyone,” he said, as quoted by Corriere Fiorentino.

Mr Seetoh, according to his LinkedIn profile, had a long career in the automotive industry.

He served as Chief Operating Officer at Taiwan MotorImage since 2013 and had been with Tan Chong Motor Group since 1981.

The explosion sparked a large emergency response, with dozens of firefighters, volunteers, and municipal civil protection members rushing to the site. Rescuers reported a strong smell of gas upon arrival.

Search efforts for Ms Chang continue as authorities work to determine the precise cause of the incident.