Explosion at gas station in Rome injures police and firefighters - fuel safety questioned in dense areas
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A powerful explosion tore through a gas station in eastern Rome on Thursday morning, injuring at least 30 people and sending shockwaves across the city.
The blast occurred shortly after 9 a.m. local time in the Prenestino district, near Via dei Gordiani. According to Italian authorities, the explosion followed a fire that broke out at the fueling station. Moments later, two massive detonations erupted, hurling debris hundreds of meters and shattering windows in nearby buildings.
Photo Credit: Gas station in a dense part of Rome. Nora Kuby's photo, licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Learn more about this license. This photo is NOT of the affected gas station.
Among the injured are nine police officers, one firefighter, and several civilians. Most sustained minor injuries, though the psychological toll on residents has been described as significant. A children’s summer camp located near the site was swiftly evacuated, and the nearby Teano metro station was closed as a precaution.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief. “All the windows shook. I thought it was an earthquake,” said one resident in the neighboring Centocelle district.
A towering column of black smoke rose above the city, visible from several kilometers away. Emergency services responded rapidly, cordoning off the area and launching an investigation into the cause of the fire and subsequent explosions.
Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, confirmed the number of injured and praised the swift action of first responders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her concern on social media, stating that she is closely following developments.
As of Thursday afternoon, authorities had not released details on what may have triggered the initial fire. Investigators are examining whether safety protocols were followed at the gas station.
The explosion has reignited public debate over the safety of fuel infrastructure in densely populated urban areas.
Read more here:
- Newsweek – Rome Explosion Caught in Dramatic Videos: What to Know
- The Independent – Huge Explosion in Rome Injures Several People
- ANSA English – Big Blast at Rome Petrol Station Hurts 45
- Il Messaggero (English) – Morning Explosion Rocks Rome
- County Local News – Chaos in Rome: Gas Depot Explosion Leaves City Reeling