A massive gas explosion at a petrol station in northeast Rome on Friday injured 45 people, including police, firefighters, and emergency workers. The second of two explosions, triggered after a truck hit a gas pipe, was heard across the capital and sent a thick plume of smoke into the sky.
Six of the injured are in serious condition, with two on life support. One of them suffered burns over 55% of their body, along with severe inhalation damage. Many residents were treated for injuries caused by flying glass and debris.
The blasts occurred near a summer sports facility. Fabio Balzani, who manages the site, said the early timing likely prevented a disaster. “If it had happened an hour later, there would have been 60 children and 120 pool users,” he said. “The centre looks like a battlefield.”
Emergency services were initially responding to a smaller gas leak when the major explosion occurred. Lazio’s regional fire chief Ennio Aquilino described the scene as being “like a bomb going off.” Investigators believe a technical fault in the gas system caused the larger blast.
Rome prosecutors have launched an inquiry, and around 50 people were evacuated from the area. Health authorities urged residents to stay indoors with windows closed due to emissions from the fire.
Rescue services on scene when second explosion occurred
Carabiniere officer Gregorio Assanti described rescuing the petrol station’s safety manager from a burning vehicle. “We were thrown back twice,” he said. “When the ambulance caught fire, we used our patrol car to take him to hospital.”
Of those injured, 24 were civilians, 12 police officers, six firefighters and three emergency medical staff. The victims are being treated across nine hospitals in the capital.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was monitoring the situation closely with Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Pope Leo XIV also expressed his prayers for those affected.
Environmental group Legambiente called for a reduction in the number of fuel stations in urban areas. Rome has 862 fuel stations, including 109 that distribute Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
SIMA, Italy’s environmental medicine body, warned of the health risks linked to LPG inhalation and contact with the gas in liquid form.
The taxpayer group Federcontribuenti said the station should never have been built in that location.
