ROME: An explosion at a petrol station in Rome’s Prenestino district resulted in injuries to at least 27 people, including 10 police officers and a firefighter.
The blast, which involved petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), occurred just after 8 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and was heard throughout the Italian capital. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, and photos shared by Roma Today showed a massive flame and thick smoke rising into the sky. Images from the fire department revealed the station was nearly destroyed by the flames.
Aside from emergency responders, 16 civilians sustained injuries, among them the fuel station’s manager. A police spokesperson confirmed the injury count was not final and stated that investigations into the cause of the incident were underway.An ambulance service representative estimated that the total number of injured could rise to 28. Health officials reported that eight people were hospitalized, including two with severe burns who required ventilatory support, and a third with serious but not life-threatening burns.
Pope Leo XIV expressed concern over the tragedy, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “I pray for those affected by the gas station explosion in the heart of my Diocese. I continue to follow the situation with concern.”Local reports indicated that firefighters and emergency medical teams were already on scene when the explosion occurred, responding to an earlier incident involving a truck hitting a pipeline at the station. This collision reportedly caused a gas leak, which ignited and led to the explosion.
Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, speaking from the site, suggested that the explosion might have been caused during a fuel tank refilling operation, leading to a leak and subsequent fire. The station was operated under the Eni brand but was not owned directly by the Italian energy giant, Eni, which issued a statement confirming this.
Firefighters reported on X that the fire was still active but under control. The blast’s shockwave damaged nearby buildings and shattered windows. Flames extended to a nearby storage depot, and the explosion prompted the evacuation of a sports center opposite the station, where a summer camp for youth was held. A representative confirmed that the five children present were safely evacuated and reunited with their families.The investigation to determine the precise cause of the explosion is ongoing
