ITALY – Explosion at Rome Petrol Station Leaves 45 Injured

July 9, 2025

A massive explosion at a petrol station in Rome’s Prenestino district has left 45 people injured and caused extensive damage to nearby buildings and vehicles.

How It Happened
Emergency services were already at the scene early on Friday morning after a tanker truck hit a pipe while manoeuvring, leading to a gas leak and a small initial explosion around 8:00 a.m. local time (7:00 a.m. BST). Moments later, a second, much larger blast erupted when a fire broke out, rocking the neighborhood.

Damage and Injuries
Authorities confirmed that among the injured were police officers and firefighters. Two men are in critical condition with severe burns, including one who was rescued from a burning car. In total, at least 21 emergency workers were hurt while responding to the incident.

Footage showed a huge fireball and thick black smoke billowing into the sky, with the blast heard across the city and strong enough to shatter windows and shake nearby buildings. Images from the aftermath reveal burnt-out vehicles and charred structures.

Emergency Response and Prevention of Further Disaster
Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, visited the devastated petrol station and nearby sports centre, calling the damage “enormous.” He praised emergency teams for quickly evacuating residents and people in nearby buildings, preventing what he said could have been “a much more serious tragedy.”

Rescue teams continue to work at the site to secure the area and help those affected.

National Response
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, is closely monitoring the situation. She posted on X: “My thoughts are with all those injured — including law enforcement, firefighters, and medical staff — and I extend heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the rescue and safety operations.”

Italy