An explosion at a petrol and LPG station in the Centocelle area of Rome on Friday resulted in injuries to at least 21 people. The explosion happened around 8:20 am and caused extensive damage to the surrounding area, including buildings and vehicles. Preliminary findings suggest a technical failure during a refueling operation as the cause of the blast. Five people were hospitalized with minor burns and injuries from shattered glass. The injured included eight police officers, a firefighter, and an emergency responder, all of whom suffered burns. The force of the explosion was felt throughout Rome, producing a large plume of smoke. Some residents described a series of subsequent blasts and compared the shockwave to that of an earthquake. The fire extended to a law enforcement storage facility located behind the station. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which is made more difficult by the ongoing heatwave. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri stated that emergency services were responding to a gas leak report when further explosions occurred. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed solidarity with the injured and offered support to those affected by the incident, including the emergency responders.
