Big Blast at Rome Petrol Station Hurts 36
Rome: A massive gas explosion at a petrol station in Rome injured 36 people, including policemen, firemen, and other rescue workers, following an initial slightly smaller explosion after a truck hit a gas pipe. The blast, which occurred in the northeast of Rome, was heard throughout the Italian capital, causing widespread fear as residents initially suspected a bomb had detonated.
According to Ansa News Agency, the explosion resulted in 36 individuals being treated at nine hospitals across Rome. Local residents suffered injuries from flying glass shards due to the force of the blast. Medical sources reported that six individuals are in critical condition, with two suffering life-threatening injuries. The pair sustained burns covering 55% and 25% of their bodies, along with inhalation damage and barotrauma from the blast’s massive air displacement.
A man was rescued from a burning car and remains in serious condition, along with one of the police officers affected by the blast. However, officials have confirmed that the other injured individuals are not in life-threatening condition. The manager of a nearby summer camp expressed relief that the explosion occurred early in the day, avoiding a potential catastrophe as the facility was not yet filled with its usual attendees.
Premier Giorgia Meloni is closely monitoring the situation alongside Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, while Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers for the victims. In response to the incident, Rome prosecutors have launched an investigation, and approximately 50 people were evacuated after the explosion.
Environmental group Legambiente has called for a reduction in the number of petrol and gas stations located within cities, highlighting safety concerns, especially during the intense summer heat. Lazio Regional Firefighters’ Chief Ennio Aquilino described the explosion as being caused by a glitch in the gas plant, resulting in a violent blast akin to a bomb.
The Carabiniere, Gregorio Assanti, who bravely rescued a petrol safety officer from a burning car during the explosion, recounted the harrowing experience of being thrown by the force of the blasts and his efforts to transport the injured man to the hospital despite challenging conditions.
Health authorities have issued warnings to locals about the risks associated with exposure to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) cautioned that inhaling high concentrations of LPG can lead to severe health issues, including nausea, dizziness, neurological disorders, and in extreme cases, asphyxiation. They also warned of the dangers of direct contact with the cryogenic liquid, which can cause cold burns and serious skin lesions.