At least 45 people were injured in a powerful explosion at a petrol and LPG station in eastern Rome on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m. local time on Via dei Gordiani, near Villa De Sanctis, and involved an Eni-branded station. Among the injured are 11 police officers, six firefighters, three emergency medical personnel, one Carabinieri officer, and 24 civilians, according to official sources. Two individuals suffered life-threatening burn injuries and remain in intensive care. This was reported by G.Business, citing Reuters, Roma Today.
Witnesses and local media reported a strong smell of gas shortly before the first blast. According to Roma Today, the explosion was preceded by a pipeline rupture caused by a tanker truck unloading gas at the station. The first explosion was followed by a fire and then a second, more powerful detonation. The shockwave shattered windows in nearby buildings, damaged vehicles, and was felt across several districts of the Italian capital.
Photos and videos show a towering column of black smoke rising above the scene. The fire spread to a nearby depot that reportedly contained oxygen tanks. An ambulance parked close to the station was destroyed in the fire. Approximately 40 residents were evacuated from nearby buildings due to the intensity of the flames.
According to health authorities, the two most seriously injured were admitted to Sant’Eugenio Hospital with burns covering 55% and 25% of their bodies, respectively. Both are under mechanical ventilation. Additional casualties were distributed among eight hospitals across Rome, including Umberto I, Casilino, San Giovanni, Vannini, and Gemelli.
Authorities activated the city’s emergency plan (Peimaf), and all emergency departments were placed on high alert. The fire department confirmed that emergency crews had already been on site due to a reported gas leak when the explosion occurred. Metro Line C's Teano station was closed, and several bus routes were rerouted.
According to Rome’s chief of police and the Civil Protection Agency, a safety perimeter was established prior to the explosion to prevent public access. Following the blast, further evacuations were carried out, including a nearby summer camp hosting 15 children, who were reported safe.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri stated that the explosion likely resulted from an accident during LPG unloading. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi are monitoring the situation closely. The public has been advised to keep windows shut, avoid using external air ventilation, and thoroughly wash locally grown produce due to smoke and airborne contaminants.
The Rome prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation and ordered the seizure of the site. According to initial reports, the blast may have involved a leak of liquefied petroleum gas, which ignited during delivery operations. Technical teams are working to determine the exact cause of the deflagration.
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Foto: REUTERS/Matteo Minnella