A significant explosion rocked a petrol and LPG station in Rome’s Centocelle area, injuring at least 21 people on Friday morning. The blast, which occurred around 8:20 am, caused extensive damage to nearby buildings and vehicles. Initial reports suggest a technical fault during a refuelling operation as the cause. Among the injured were five individuals who required hospitalization due to minor burns and injuries from shattered glass. A total of eight police officers, a firefighter, and an emergency responder also sustained burns. The force of the explosion was felt across the city, leaving a large plume of smoke visible. Some residents compared the impact to an earthquake, describing a series of chain explosions. The fire also spread to a law enforcement storage facility. Firefighters are currently battling the blaze, which is compounded by the ongoing heatwave in Rome. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri confirmed that local police and firefighters were already responding to a reported gas leak when additional explosions occurred shortly after their arrival. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her solidarity with the victims, including the injured law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers, and assured them of support.
