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The Citizen
04-07-2025
- The Citizen
Dozens injured in Rome fuel station blast heard across the city
The explosion happened while emergency services were on scene to investigate a gas leak. Firemen, policemen and rescue teams work on the site of an explosion in a fuel station in Rome on July 4, 2025. Picture: Andreas Solaro / AFP A huge explosion at a petrol station in a Rome suburb on Friday injured nearly 30 people, two of them seriously, and rattled windows across the Italian capital. The blast around 8:20am (0620 GMT) was preceded by a fire caused by a gas leak during refuelling, according to Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, who provided the toll of injured. Gualtieri visited the charred and smoking remains of the petrol and liquified natural gas (LNG) station and an adjacent sports centre in the Prenestino neighbourhood of eastern Rome. Gas explosion The explosion sent a fireball and thick black smoke into the air, and was heard on the other side of Rome, shaking windows and causing some residents to worry that a bomb had gone off. 'The explosion was really powerful. I felt my skin burning,' Michele Seco, a 23-year-old who worked at the now-destroyed sports centre, told AFP. Before the explosion, emergency services and police were called to investigate the gas leak and had evacuated the immediate area, including a children's summer camp. ALSO READ: Europe bakes in summer's first heatwave as continent warms Police and civilians injured Police said 10 of their officers and one member of the fire service were injured, in addition to 16 civilians, two of whom were in a serious but not life-threatening condition. Fabio Balzani, head of the sports centre, said if the fire had occurred just a bit later it could have been disastrous, with 60 children expected at the camp and around 120 people booked to use the pool. 'It would have been a massacre, a catastrophe,' he told AFP. Andrea Quattrocchi, the local chief of the Carabinieri police force, said the timely intervention of his team was crucial. 'They extracted a person alive from a burning car,' who was taken to hospital and is in a serious but stable condition, Quattrocchi told reporters. Witnesses said an ambulance exploded in the fire. ALSO READ: 29 high school pupils die in CAR exam day stampede Cause of the explosion Ennio Aquilino, regional director of the Lazio fire department, said the petrol station explosion was caused by a 'BLEVE' — a boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion — of the liquified natural gas. A BLEVE is caused by the rapid vaporisation of a pressurised liquid, normally when the vessel containing it is ruptured in some way. 'The effect is as if a bomb has gone off,' Aquilino told reporters. He said the first call to firefighters had been for a gas leak, then shortly afterwards came the explosion. He said they did not have time to stop it, only to clear the area. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was following the situation, and offered her support for all those injured. NOW READ: Eight killed as deadly clashes erupt in Kenya on protest anniversary
Libyan Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Migrant population in Libya rises to 858,000 amid Sudan conflict
BY Libyan Express May 23, 2025 - 06:38 Updated: May 23, 2025 - 06:38 Migrants and refugees sit on a rubber boat before being rescued by a ship run by Maltese NGO Moas and Italian Red Cross off the Libyan coast | Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images Libya hosted more than 858,000 migrants in the first two months of 2025, representing a 4% increase from December 2024 figures, according to new data from the International Organisation for Migration. The latest Displacement Tracking Matrix report shows the migrant population has grown from 824,131 at the end of last year, driven largely by people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Sudanese nationals now comprise the largest group at 31% of all migrants, followed by those from Niger (22%), Egypt (20%) and Chad (10%). These four countries account for 83% of Libya's migrant population, which includes people from 46 different nationalities. Men make up 78% of migrants, with women and children representing 22% of the total. The western region of Libya hosts just over half of all migrants (52%), attracted by employment opportunities in construction and manufacturing. The eastern region accommodates 35% of the migrant population. The capital Tripoli hosts 15% of all migrants, whilst the coastal cities of Misurata and Benghazi each accommodate 10%. The report highlights severe humanitarian challenges facing migrant communities. More than three-quarters (76%) lack access to healthcare, primarily due to high costs and poor service quality. Educational barriers affect migrant children particularly severely, with 65% of school-age children not attending classes. The IOM cited economic hardship, lack of documentation, poor social integration and language barriers as the main obstacles. The increase in migrant numbers comes as Libya continues to serve as both a destination and transit country for people seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing conflict in other parts of Africa and the Middle East. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Extra.ie
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
White smoke emerges from Sistine Chapel as new Pope elected
A new Pope has been elected with white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel confirming the news to the world. The pontiff is the 267th Pope, becoming the religious leader of Catholics across the globe and someone believed to be called to be the successor to St Peter, who was the first. Shortly after 5pm UK time on Thursday, crowds in St Peter's Square bore witness to history as white smoke billowed into the air from a specially-erected chimney at the chapel, in the age-old tradition. Onlookers erupted into cheers and applause as bells tolled to confirm the news. White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Pic: Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images Some 133 cardinals entered the chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with the secret conclave meeting getting under way behind closed doors shortly before 5pm UK time, as the group were cut off from all communications with the outside world. The timing means it took cardinals only around 24 hours to elect their new leader. Each of the electors, mostly dressed in distinctive bright red vestments, had taken an oath pledging secrecy ahead of the process of casting anonymous ballots for their chosen name. At a special mass ahead of the conclave, cardinals were reminded of the 'choice of exceptional importance' they must make. Three UK cardinals took part in conclave – Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is Irish-born, is seen as an American cardinal having ministered mainly in the US. Cardinal Nichols had called on people to pray for himself and other cardinals as they embarked on the secret voting process, adding that he felt 'quite intimidated' knowing the world was watching to see who they would choose. White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Pic: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images The voting cardinals – those aged under 80 who were the only ones eligible to cast a ballot – were urged to 'invoke the help of the Holy Spirit' to help them elect a pope 'whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history'. In the mass in St Peter's Basilica ahead of conclave, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said the pontiff would need to be a person who can 'awaken the consciences of all and the moral and spiritual energies in today's society, characterised by great technological progress but which tends to forget God'. Once a new Pope accepts his election, it is usual that he would appear fairly quickly thereafter on the front balcony of St Peter's Basilica which overlooks St Peter's Square. An announcement in Latin of 'Habemus Papam' – meaning 'we have a Pope' is made alongside the new pontiff's appearance. This conclave was thought to be one of the most diverse of any meeting of cardinals before, representing some 70 countries and hailing from places like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga which had not had a cardinal before. Pope Francis had appointed some 108 of the 133 cardinals who took part in the conclave to choose his successor. Francis was vocal on politics, speaking out against war and climate change, as he urged more focus on the poor and downtrodden of the world. His funeral last month drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, including world leaders such as US president Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Such was Francis's popularity, he was dubbed by many to have been 'the people's pope'.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
US tourist in Rome impaled on metal spike at Colosseum
(KTLA) – An American on vacation in Rome is reportedly recovering after climbing a fence at the ruins of the Colosseum, falling and being impaled on a metal spike in front of other horrified tourists, according to multiple media outlets. The incident, according to the Italian news outlet Day Italian News, happened at around 5 p.m. Friday, with shocked witnesses immediately calling for help. The 47-year-old man, who has yet to be identified, reportedly took the spike to the lower back, screamed in pain and passed out, Huffpost reported. He 'remained stuck in a painful and dramatic position' while first responders were en route, witnesses told the Italian outlet. A general view shows people gathering at the Colosseum monument in Rome on April 7, 2023, prior to the Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) prayer service as part of celebrations of the Holy Week.(Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images) An ambulance in Rome, Italy, seen on March 14, 2025.. (Photo by Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images) After assessing the situation, paramedics gave the man a sedative while they worked to pull him off the spike, which took about 20 minutes, Day Italian reported. Medical personnel worked to contain the bleeding at the scene and then rushed the man to Rome's San Giovanni Hospital for emergency surgery for the deep wound. Gunman shoots 2 people at packed California campground, turns gun on self The man was reportedly in stable condition after the surgery, which required more than 80 stitches, though it is unclear if there was any permanent damage done to his spine. It is unclear why the American, who currently lives in Taiwan and was visiting Italy with family and friends, climbed the fence in the first place. Some reports suggest he was trying to take a selfie or attempting to get a better view of the world-famous tourist attraction. Or, as Day Italian News reported, 'it is assumed he simply wanted to get closer to the monument.' Police in Rome opened an investigation into the incident and have since questioned the man. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Massive crowds expected for second day of Pope Francis's lying in state
Tens of thousands of mourners are saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica. Image: Andreas Solaro / AFP Huge crowds were expected on Thursday for a glimpse of Pope Francis's body on the second day of public tributes, after St Peter's Basilica stayed open almost all night to accommodate the crowds. Close to 20,000 people filtered past the Catholic leader's red-lined wooden coffin in the first eight hours of the lying in state on Wednesday. Instead of closing at midnight, it allowed people in until 5:30am on Thursday morning, before reopening at 7:00am, the Vatican said. Italy is preparing a massive security operation for the funeral in front of St Peter's, with world leaders including US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky due to join hundreds of thousands of mourners. Francis died on Monday after 12 years as head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, during which time he made a name for himself as a pope of the marginalised. Mourners queued for up to four hours on Wednesday to say their goodbyes to Francis, who was dressed in his papal vestments - a red chasuble, white mitre and black shoes - and held a rosary. Each mourner was ushered past the casket within seconds, many hurriedly catching the moment on their smartphones. Argentine Federico Rueda, 46, said that despite the rush, he would not have missed the opportunity. "It is worth missing out on other places to say goodbye to an Argentine: a very worthy pope," he said as he stood proudly wearing the jersey of Argentina's national football team, the current world champions. Mexican Leobardo Guevara, 24, draped in his country's flag, said he felt "a sense of peace" as he filed past the body of the first pope from the Americas. Francis, an energetic reformer who became pope in 2013, died on Monday aged 88 after suffering a stroke. His death at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican came less than a month after he was released from five weeks in hospital with double pneumonia. Francis's casket was initially put on display for Vatican officials and clergy in the Santa Marta chapel, before being transferred to St Peter's Wednesday in a procession including cardinals, clergy and Swiss Guards. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among those who paid respects on Wednesday, and scores of world leaders and dignitaries plan to attend the funeral. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel They include Argentine President Javier Milei and Britain's Prince William, although Russia - which has for centuries had icy ties with the Vatican - said it would send its culture minister. Authorities, who expect up to 170 foreign delegations, have ramped up security for the funeral. Italy's civil protection agency estimates that "several hundred thousand" people will descend on Rome on what was already set to be a busy weekend due to a public holiday. No conclave date yet After the funeral, Francis's coffin will be taken to his favourite church, Rome's papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. His will requested that he be interred in the ground, his simple tomb marked with just one word: Franciscus. Following that, all eyes will turn to the process to choose Francis's successor. Cardinals from around the world are returning to Rome for the conclave, which will begin no fewer than 15 days and no more than 20 days after a pope's death. Only those under the age of 80 - currently some 135 cardinals - are eligible to vote. Cardinals have agreed that the traditional nine days of mourning for the pope, the so-called "novemdiales", will begin on Saturday and conclude on May 4. Another meeting of cardinals of all ages was set for Thursday at 9:00am. However, the Vatican brushed aside hopes of an announcement of the conclave date, insisting the focus is on the funeral. At the time of his death, Francis was under doctors' orders to rest for two months. But the headstrong pope continued to make public appearances despite appearing tired and short of breath. On Easter Sunday, one day before he died, he circled St Peter's Square in his popemobile to greet the crowds, stopping to kiss babies along the way. AFP
