29 People, Including 9 Police Officers, Injured in Rome Gas Station Explosion: 'Like a Bomb'
29 people, including nine police officers, have sustained injuries, while 40 people have been rescued after the incident
Nearby buildings have been damaged by the resulting fire, according to local reportsNumerous people have been injured after an explosion at a gas station in Rome, Italy, on Friday, July 4.
According to local outlet La Stampa, 29 people have reportedly sustained injuries so far, including nine police officers and the plant manager. 40 people have also reportedly been rescued.
While many of the casualties included minor burns, none were life-threatening, per La Stampa.
"This morning, shortly after 8, the Prenestino neighborhood of Rome was shaken by a very loud roar, followed by a shock wave felt in many areas of the capital," Italian State Police wrote in a statement. "It was caused by an explosion that occurred in a gas station on Via dei Gordiani."
The release continued, "The police officers from the Rome police headquarters and the firefighters were the first to intervene and, unfortunately, some of them were injured during the delicate phases of rescue and securing the area."
"They and the other injured were immediately rescued and transported to local hospitals," the statement added. "The cleanup and survey activities continue at the site of the explosion, which caused extensive damage to homes and nearby premises."
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Italian fire service spokesperson Luca Cari told La Stampa that emergency responders were already at the scene due to a prior incident, which saw a truck hit a gas pipeline.
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The explosion occurred some time later, but it is currently unclear whether the two incidents were connected.
"Unfortunately it was a serious fire that seems to have been caused by an accident during the LPG discharge phase," Rome police commissioner Roberto Massucci in a statement per the outlet. "The police officers who were carrying out the intervention, as well as other rescuers, were hit by this very strong explosion and are now in various hospitals.'
The officer continued, 'Fortunately, I am not aware of any life-threatening situations. The police arrived with three patrols and also some cars from Torpignattara."
'We were woken up by a bang, it sounded like a bomb, an attack." local resident Paola told La Stampa.
"My mother has a cut on her leg, the windows are shattered," another resident, called Claudia, added, with others describing seeing people on the street covered in glass.
Firefighters are reportedly still securing the area, with some road closures in place.
"I am closely following the consequences of the explosion that occurred this morning at a gas station in the Prenestino neighborhood of Rome," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X.
"I have spoken to the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, and I remain in constant contact with Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano and the competent authorities to monitor the evolution of the situation," she added.
"I express my closeness to all the injured - including law enforcement officers, firefighters and health workers - and I extend my heartfelt thanks to those involved in the rescue and safety operations," her message concluded.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV said on X, per The Telegraph, that he was "praying" for those affected in the "tragic accident."
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