A massive explosion rocked an eastern district of Rome on Friday, injuring at least 45 people and causing widespread devastation. The powerful blast occurred at a petrol station in the working-class Prenestino neighbourhood, sending a huge fireball and thick smoke high into the sky. emergency services were already on the scene responding to an initial incident when the second, much larger explosion struck.
The incident unfolded just after 8 am local time (0600 GMT) at a facility distributing petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The sound of the explosion was heard across the Italian capital, startling residents and causing buildings to shake. Initial reports indicated the incident began with a truck hitting a pipeline during fuel transfer operations, leading to a gas leak and a subsequent fire.
Devastating Impact and Widespread Injuries
The intensity of the second blast was described by eyewitnesses as “hellish,” creating a “fiery mushroom” cloud. Photographs from the scene showed the petrol station almost completely gutted. Burnt-out vehicles littered the area, and nearby buildings sustained significant damage. A fence at an adjacent sports field was buckled by the force of the explosion.
At least 45 people were injured in the incident. This number included a significant number of emergency responders. Reports confirm that at least 12 police officers and six firefighters were among the injured. Some accounts suggest up to 21 emergency workers were hurt.
Critical Condition and Range of Injuries
The injured are being treated in local hospitals across Rome. Tragically, two individuals remain in critical condition. Both suffered extensive burns and require ventilation support. One of these critically injured individuals was reportedly the driver of the gas tanker involved in the initial incident. Another person was rescued by teams from a burning car nearby.
Beyond burns, other victims were treated for trauma injuries. These included fractures sustained from falling or being impacted by debris during the blast. The widespread nature of the injuries highlights the sheer force and danger posed by the explosion in the densely populated urban area.
Emergency Response and Critical Evacuations
Firefighters, police, and ambulance workers had been dispatched to the petrol station shortly before the major blast. They were responding to the initial incident involving the truck and the gas leak. This meant that many emergency personnel were directly exposed to the second, powerful explosion.
Ten fire crews quickly responded to the scene to combat the intense fire that erupted after the blast. Their immediate efforts focused on extinguishing flames and searching for victims amidst the devastation.
Averting a Larger Tragedy
Crucially, nearby structures, including a sports centre hosting a youth summer camp directly opposite the station, were promptly evacuated following the initial incident but before the major explosion. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri credited these swift evacuations with preventing a “much more serious tragedy.”
The sports centre head noted that approximately 60 children were expected for summer camp and around 120 people booked the swimming pool shortly after the blast occurred. Had the explosion happened just a little later, the potential loss of life could have been catastrophic. The area also includes a nursery and schools, underscoring the risk to vulnerable populations.
Investigation Underway
Police have seized the petrol station site as part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of the explosion. While authorities confirmed that the blast occurred after a truck incident led to a gas leak and fire, the exact sequence and triggers for the massive second explosion are being thoroughly examined.
Rome’s police commissioner indicated the explosion was likely caused by an accident during the unloading of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). The presence of LPG, highly volatile, explains the scale and intensity of the resulting fireball and blast wave. Fire service spokesmen confirmed their personnel were present due to the initial truck incident but stated the specific cause of the major explosion was still unknown immediately after the event.
Official Reactions and Solidarity
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri visited the scene of the destruction, speaking with local news outlets about the “enormous damage” and the injuries sustained by residents and emergency personnel. He later spoke with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella about the situation.
Prime Minister Meloni expressed her solidarity with all the injured, specifically mentioning law enforcement, firefighters, and health workers. She extended her gratitude to the rescue and safety teams for their rapid and courageous response, which helped contain the consequences of the tragic event. President Mattarella also conveyed his thanks to the emergency operators.
Adding a solemn note, Pope Leo XIV wrote on social media platform X that he was praying for those involved in the “tragic incident” and was following developments with concern from his diocese.
Context of Similar Incidents
While investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with fuel distribution facilities, particularly those handling volatile substances like LPG. This explosion follows a previous deadly incident in Italy. In December of the previous year, five people were killed in an explosion at an Eni fuel depot located near Florence. The station involved in the Rome incident sported the Eni brand but was reportedly not owned by the Italian energy group.
The focus now remains on supporting the injured, determining the precise cause of the blast, and assessing the full extent of the damage in the Prenestino neighbourhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the sequence of events leading to the Rome petrol station explosion?
The incident began with a truck hitting a pipeline at the petrol station in Rome’s Prenestino neighbourhood. This caused a gas leak, specifically involving LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). Following the leak, a fire broke out, which was then followed by a second, much larger explosion. Emergency services were already responding to the initial fire when the major blast occurred.
How many emergency responders were injured in the Rome gas station blast?
The explosion resulted in injuries to multiple emergency services personnel who were already at the scene. According to various reports, at least 12 police officers and six firefighters were among the injured. Some sources indicated that up to 21 emergency workers sustained injuries during the incident.
What was the potential scale of the disaster averted by prompt evacuations in Rome?
Prompt evacuations of nearby buildings, including a sports centre directly opposite the petrol station, were crucial in preventing a significantly worse outcome. The sports centre was scheduled to host a youth summer camp with approximately 60 children and had bookings for about 120 people at its swimming pool shortly after the explosion occurred. Evacuating these individuals before the major blast is credited with averting a potential “massacre” or “catastrophe” in the area.
The tragic Rome gas station explosion on July 4, 2025, serves as a critical case study in urban safety and emergency preparedness. The swift actions of emergency services and local authorities in evacuating the area undoubtedly saved numerous lives, preventing a much larger disaster. As the investigation continues into the exact cause of the blast during the critical LPG unloading process, the focus remains on the recovery of the 45 people injured and the community in the Prenestino neighbourhood. This incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols at fuel distribution sites and the bravery of the first responders who face inherent risks while protecting the public.
