A powerful explosion ripped through a gas station in southeast Rome. The blast left at least 25 people hurt. This number included ten emergency workers, both police officers and firefighters. Thick black smoke billowed high into the sky. Flames could be seen from across Italy’s capital city.
The incident happened at a gas station in the Prenestino district, a neighborhood in the city’s southeast. The air filled with a dense, dark cloud that spread widely over the area. Eyewitnesses shared frightening stories about what they experienced.
The Scene of Chaos
The force of the explosion was immense. Nearby buildings shook violently. One person described feeling as if their skin was burning from the heat. A mother who suffered minor injuries alongside her daughter recounted a harrowing moment. She said a fireball hit her daughter unexpectedly, leaving red marks on the child’s arm. “It felt like the world was falling apart,” the mother added.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri quickly responded to the situation. He stated that police and firefighters had rushed to the scene. They were called after reports of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leak at the station. Soon after their arrival, two consecutive explosions occurred.
A Fortunate Escape
Officials took immediate action to prevent further harm. They quickly evacuated a sports center located next to the gas station. Another team helped people leave buildings situated across the street. These rapid efforts likely stopped a much worse disaster.
Good fortune also played a significant role that day. About 60 children were registered to attend a summer camp at the sports center. More than 120 people were also using the swimming pool. Luckily, the children had not yet arrived when the explosions happened.
Elisabetta Accardo, a spokesperson for the Rome police, provided more details on the injuries. She confirmed that 16 of the injured were local residents. Two of these individuals were in serious condition and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Rome public prosecutors have launched an investigation into the cause of the blasts. Early findings suggest the explosions were related to an LPG leak that occurred during a transfer of the liquid at the gas station.
Source: CBS