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Local Italy
04-07-2025
- Local Italy
LATEST: Dozens injured in Rome petrol station explosion
The explosion occurred at a petrol station on Via dei Gordiani, in Rome's eastern Prenestino neighbourhood, shortly after 8am. The blast started a major fire that sent up a thick column of smoke into the sky. At least 35 people were injured, including 17 civilians and 18 law enforcement officers, Rome police said. Two people were taken to the nearby Policlinico Casilino in critical condition and later transferred to Sant'Eugenio Hospital, national broadcaster Rai reported. Roma: Incendio ed esplosioni in via dei Gordiani — Roma Today (@romatoday) July 4, 2025 The blast, which shook buildings and sent local residents fleeing from their homes, was heard in many parts of the city. A person at the scene told local news outlet Roma Today that they smelt gas before hearing a loud bang, followed by a much larger explosion a few minutes later. "I woke up with a start, I heard a very loud explosion, it sounded like a bomb," one witness told La Repubblica. The area around the petrol station "looks like a battlefield, full of debris," another said. Michele Secu, a 23-year-old who worked at a nearby sports centre, told AFP the explosion "was really powerful". "I felt my skin burning," he added. The exact cause of the explosion was still unclear as of Friday afternoon. Rome's Chief of Police, Roberto Massucci, said the blast followed 'an accident in the unloading of LPG'. Following the explosion, Rome's public transport operator Atac closed the nearby metro station of Teano. The station reopened at 9.49am, according to Atac. A sports centre and three residential buildings close to the station were evacuated, Rai reported. Fabio Balzani, head of the sports centre, told AFP the blast could have resulted in "a massacre" if it had happened later in the day. He said that around 60 children were expected for summer camp activities and around 120 had booked the swimming pool that morning. Rome's Civil Protection Department advised people living in the area around the petrol station to keep their windows shut and avoid using AC units. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X she was following the situation closely and was in contact with Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. "I express my solidarity with all the injured - including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers - and extend my heartfelt thanks to all those engaged in rescue and safety operations," Meloni added. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Rome is expected to open an inquiry into the explosion after gathering the first reports from fire service and law enforcement officers, Rai reported.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
Gas station explosion in Rome leaves over 20 injured after truck hits pipeline; fire rages as police, civilians among those hurt
A major explosion took place in a petrol station in the Prenestino area of eastern Rome early Friday morning, leaving over 20 people injured, including nine police officers and a firefighter. The blast, which occurred just after 8:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), was reportedly heard across the Italian capital. Local reports indicate that the incident began when a truck collided with a gas pipeline at the fuel distribution point. Images published by local news outlet Roma Today showed a large fireball and thick smoke rising into the sky. Firefighters also released photos of the station site, which appeared extensively damaged. Emergency workers injured in secondary blast According to statements by Rome police chief Roberto Massucci, several emergency workers were hurt after arriving at the scene. Firefighters and ambulance personnel had been dispatched to respond to the initial gas leak caused by the truck's impact. While they were assessing the situation, a major tank explosion occurred. One firefighter was hospitalised, though none of the first responders were reported to be in critical condition. The fire department later stated, 'We are working on a tank explosion… the fire is still ongoing.' Civilians also affected, nearby areas evacuated In addition to the injured emergency responders, 16 civilians, including the fuel station manager, sustained injuries. Health officials confirmed that five people were hospitalised with minor burns or wounds from shattered glass. At least one individual was rescued from a burning vehicle, with their condition being described as serious but not critical. The shockwave from the explosion damaged buildings in the vicinity and ignited a nearby depot. A local sports centre, which was running a children's summer camp directly across from the petrol station, was evacuated before the blast, according to a statement by a representative on Facebook. Authorities monitor situation, Pope and PM react Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office confirmed that she was being briefed on the situation. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV expressed concern for the victims in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, 'I pray for the people involved in the explosion of a gas station… I continue to follow the developments of this tragic incident with concern.' No fatalities have been reported as of the latest updates. Investigations into the full cause and consequences of the explosion are ongoing.
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Perth Now
More than 20 injured in blast at Rome petrol station
More than 20 people, including nine police officers and a firefighter, have been injured in a huge explosion at a petrol station in an eastern district of Rome. Website Roma Today published a photograph of a huge ball of flame and smoke rising high into the sky. Separate images released by the fire department showed the petrol station almost completely gutted. Apart from the first responders, 16 civilians including the manager of the station were injured in the blast on Friday, the head of Rome's police, Roberto Massucci, was quoted by Italian news agencies as saying. He said no one was in a life-threatening condition. Health authorities said five people were hospitalised with minor burns and injuries from shattered glass. The large blast at the distributor of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas in the Prenestino neighbourhood was heard across the Italian capital just after 8am. "I pray for the people involved in the explosion of a gas station (...) in the heart of my Diocese. I continue to follow the developments of this tragic incident with concern," Pope Leo XIV wrote on X. Firefighters and ambulance workers were caught up in the blast as they had been called to the scene earlier after a truck hit a pipeline at the fuel distributor, local reports said. A sports centre, which hosts a youth summer camp and sits opposite the station, was evacuated before the blast, a representative of the centre said in a Facebook video. The fire spread to a nearby depot, and the shock wave from the explosion damaged nearby buildings. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was following the situation, her office said in a statement.
