A massive plume of smoke rises into the sky after an explosion at a gas station on the outskirts of Rome. Photo: Reuters.
A massive explosion occurred at a petrol station in the eastern part of Rome, the capital of Italy. On Friday (4 July), the explosion took place at a station supplying petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas in the working-class Prenestino area of Rome. Just after 8 a.m. local time, the sound of the explosion could be heard across the city. At least 45 people were injured in the blast, according to British news agency Reuters.
Authorities said that among the injured are 12 police officers and 6 firefighters.
Italian news agencies reported that the injured were taken to local hospitals. Two of them are in critical condition, with most of their bodies burned and requiring respiratory support.
The website Roma Today published a photo showing a massive fireball and smoke rising into the sky. Other photos released by the fire service show the petrol station almost completely destroyed.
Pope Leo XIV wrote on social media platform X, “I pray for those affected by the explosion at a gas station in the heart of my diocese. I am following the developments of this tragic incident with concern.”
Italian media reported that before the fire broke out, firefighters and ambulance personnel had already arrived at the scene because a truck had collided with a pipeline at the station. They, too, were affected by the explosion.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told reporters at the scene that it is suspected a gas leak occurred due to some fault while refueling the fuel tank, which led to the fire and subsequent explosion.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed gratitude towards the police, firefighters, and other emergency services, saying, “Their prompt action prevented this tragic event from becoming even more disastrous.”
In a statement, the company said that although the station carried the ENI brand name, it was not owned by the Italian energy company.
Last December, an explosion at an ENI fuel depot near Florence killed five people.
