A powerful explosion at a gas station in Rome on Friday has left at least 45 people injured, including 12 police officers and six firefighters, Italian authorities confirmed.
The blast occurred at a gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dispenser in the working-class Prenestino neighborhood, and was heard across the capital shortly after 8 AM.
Injuries and Damage Assessment
Those affected by the explosion are receiving medical treatment at local hospitals, Italian news agencies reported, with two individuals in critical condition due to severe burns.
Roma Today published a photo showing a large fire with smoke billowing high into the sky. Separate images distributed by the fire department depicted the gas station almost entirely destroyed.
“I pray for the people affected by the explosion at a station in the heart of my Diocese. I continue to follow the development of this tragic incident with concern,” wrote Pope Leo XIV on platform X.
Cause of the Explosion Under Investigation
Firefighters and ambulance workers were among those affected by the second blast, as they had initially been called to the scene because a truck had struck a pipeline at the gas station, Italian media reported.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, speaking from the scene, stated that it is suspected an incident during the fuel tank filling process caused a gas leak, which then led to a fire and subsequent explosion, REL reported.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked the police, firefighters, and other emergency services for their assistance in ensuring “this tragic event did not have even more serious consequences.”
The gas station bore the logo of the Eni company, but was not owned by the Italian energy group, the company clarified in a statement. This incident follows a previous explosion in December of last year at an Eni fuel depot near Florence, which killed five people.
