On Friday morning, a huge explosion shook a gas station in Rome’s Prenestino neighborhood, leaving at least 45 people hurt. Among those injured were 12 police officers and six firefighters, according to Italian officials.
The blast happened around 8 a.m. in a working-class area on the city’s east side. The explosion was so loud that people all across Rome heard it. The gas station sold petrol, diesel, and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
Emergency teams were already at the scene before the explosion. Reports say a truck had hit a gas pipeline earlier, which caused a leak. Firefighters and ambulance workers arrived to handle the situation. While they were there, a fire broke out, and then the massive explosion happened.
All those injured were rushed to local hospitals. Two people are in critical condition with serious burns and are on ventilators. The explosion caused a huge fireball and thick black smoke that could be seen from far away. Photos and videos quickly appeared online, showing the gas station almost completely destroyed.
The fire department shared pictures of the wreckage, with much of the station burned down. It was a scary sight for everyone nearby.
Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, visited the scene and spoke to reporters. He said the explosion probably happened during a routine fuel tank refill. Something went wrong, which led to the gas leak and fire. The mayor praised the emergency workers for their quick response.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, also thanked the firefighters, police, and medical teams for acting fast. She said their hard work helped stop the disaster from getting even worse.
The gas station had the Eni brand, but the Eni energy company said in a statement that they did not directly own this location.
There was a sports center nearby that was running a summer camp for children. Luckily, staff evacuated the building before the explosion. In a Facebook video, a staff member said all five children were safe and had gone home to their families.
The explosion shocked the whole city. Pope Leo XIV posted a message online, saying he was praying for everyone affected and watching the situation closely.
This terrible accident in Rome injured dozens of people, including many first responders. Quick action from emergency teams likely prevented even more harm. The cause appears to be an accident during a fuel delivery, but investigations are still ongoing. The community is shaken, but grateful that more lives weren’t lost, especially with children nearby.