A fuel tank explosion at a gas station in Rome injured several individuals, including eight police officers and a firefighter. The blast was felt citywide, and emergency responders were already on-site due to a previous incident.
Gas Station Explosion in Rome Injures Multiple Responders
Gas Station Explosion in Rome Injures Multiple Responders
A significant explosion at a gas station in Rome has left several injured, including police and firefighters; the cause remains under investigation.
An explosion shook a gas station in Rome on Friday, injuring multiple individuals including eight police officers and a firefighter, according to official reports. The blast occurred early in the morning, around 8:15 AM, in an eastern neighborhood and was powerful enough to be heard throughout the city.
The explosion originated from a fuel tank at the station, which specializes in liquefied petroleum gas. Firefighters and police were already present responding to an earlier incident involving a truck when the explosion occurred, reported Luca Cari, spokesman for the Italian fire service. The precise cause of the blast is currently unclear, and authorities have yet to determine the nature of the earlier truck incident.
"We only know that there was an explosion," Mr. Cari stated, emphasizing the ongoing investigation. Following the blast, firefighters were engaged in extinguishing a fire that had erupted in a nearby parking lot designated for cars taken by judicial authorities.
As this is a developing story, updates will be provided as additional details emerge.
Elisabetta Povoledo is a Times reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican, and the region's cultural landscape. She has an impressive 35-year career in journalism.
