By Ecenur Colak

ROME

A huge explosion near Italy's Bologna Airport was caused by an accident on a highway close by, killing two people and injuring 60 others, the ANSA news agency reported.

The accident happened when several cars were involved in a crash with a truck carrying flammables, resulting in a massive fireball.

Among the injured were two traffic police officers and 11 gendarmerie personnel trying to control the traffic flow when the explosion happened.

On Twitter, the Bologna Police Department announced that the Via Marco Emilio Lepido highway and Borgo Panigale area have been closed to traffic and passenger crossings.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, but police cordoned off the explosion area due to smoke filling the air.