ROME (AP) — A fuel station exploded early on Friday in southeastern Rome, injuring at the very least 20 individuals, together with eight cops and a firefighter, native authorities and rescuers mentioned.
The explosion was heard throughout the Italian capital shortly after 8 a.m., sending up an enormous cloud of darkish smoke and fireplace seen from a number of areas of the town.
Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri mentioned round 20 individuals suffered slight accidents.
Gualtieri mentioned native police and firefighters rushed to the realm after they had been alerted a couple of fuel leak.
Two explosions adopted after they arrived, he added.
Elisabetta Accardo, a spokesperson for the Roman police, mentioned that eight cops had been injured after arriving for rescue operations.
“There have been a couple of chain explosions after the primary one,” Accardo informed Italian state broadcaster RAI. “All of the policemen injured suffered burns, however they aren’t at risk of life.”
Hearth division spokesperson Luca Cari mentioned one firefighter was additionally injured within the explosion, however “not severely.” Ten groups had been at work on the location, he added.
Police mentioned they had been checking the entire surrounding space for individuals who had been injured or trapped in close by buildings.
Rome prosecutors have began a probe into what induced the explosion.
A sports activities heart situated close to the fuel station was evacuated swiftly by police following the primary explosion, with a number of kids dropped at security.
Residents interviewed by native media mentioned the explosion was so loud and violent that it struck close by buildings “like an earthquake.”
Pope Leo XIV mentioned he was praying for these affected by the explosion, which occurred “within the coronary heart of my Diocese.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned she was carefully following the developments.
