Explosion at Rome Petrol Station Injures Several, Forces Evacuations
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A powerful blast at a petrol station in southeast Rome injured multiple people and forced residents to flee early Friday, sending a fireball and thick smoke over the city.
The explosion occurred around 8:18 a.m. local time on via de Gordiani 32 in the Prenestino district.
Eyewitness videos showed dark grey smoke rising above rooftops before a massive orange fireball erupted.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that eight police officers and one firefighter were injured.
Fire crews deployed ten teams to control the blaze.
Some residents described “pieces of glass and iron flying” as the blast rocked nearby buildings.
According to social media accounts cited by Corriere, an initial fire broke out before two explosions followed in quick succession, the second being the largest.
Debris landed across a nearby sports field, and a perimeter fence was severely damaged.
A nursery and sports club are located close to the blast site, and police continued to inspect the area for further damage.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke with Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri about the incident.
