WATCH: At least 20 people injured after gas station explodes in Rome | World News
A gas station exploded early on Friday in southeastern Rome, injuring at least 20 people, including eight police officers and a firefighter, local authorities and rescuers said.
The explosion was heard across the Italian capital shortly after 8 a.m., sending up a huge cloud of dark smoke and fire visible from several areas of the city.
Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri said around 20 people suffered slight injuries.
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Gualtieri said local police and firefighters rushed to the area after they were alerted about a gas leak. Two explosions followed after they arrived, he added.
Elisabetta Accardo, a spokesperson for the Roman police, said that eight police officers were injured after arriving for rescue operations.
“There were a few chain explosions after the first one,” Accardo told Italian state broadcaster RAI. “All the policemen injured suffered burns, but they are not in danger of life.”
WATCH | A powerful explosion at a fuel station in Rome’s eastern Via dei Gordiani area left several people injured on Friday, July 4. Among the injured, at least three individuals sustained severe burns, according to media reports.
The blast occurred at a dributor that… pic.twitter.com/Dc2xS4OnG2
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) July 4, 2025
Fire department spokesperson Luca Cari said one firefighter was also injured in the explosion, but “not seriously.” Ten teams were at work on the site, he added.
Police said they were checking the whole surrounding area for people who were injured or trapped in near buildings.Story continues below this ad
Rome prosecutors have started a probe into what caused the explosion.
A sports center located near the gas station was evacuated swiftly police following the first explosion, with several children brought to safety.
Residents interviewed local media said the explosion was so loud and violent that it struck near buildings “like an earthquake.”
Pope Leo XIV said he was praying for those affected the explosion, which happened “in the heart of my Diocese.”Story continues below this ad
Prime Miner Giorgia Meloni said she was closely following the developments.
