By Ruth Nwokwu
A gas station explosion rocked southeastern Rome early Friday morning, injuring at least 20 people, including eight police officers and a firefighter, according to local authorities and emergency responders.
Shortly after 8 a.m., the blast sent a massive plume of dark smoke into the sky, visible from several parts of the Italian capital. The explosion was reportedly heard across the city.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri confirmed that around 20 people sustained minor injuries, adding that emergency services had been dispatched to the scene after reports of a gas leak, but two successive explosions occurred shortly after their arrival.
鈥淭here were a few chain explosions after the first one,鈥 said Elisabetta Accardo, spokesperson for the Roman police, in an interview with Italian state broadcaster RAI.
鈥淎ll the policemen injured suffered burns, but none are in life-threatening condition.鈥
The fire department spokesperson, Luca Cari, confirmed that one firefighter was also injured, though not seriously.
He added that ten fire teams were deployed to the scene and remained at work to secure the area.
Authorities said police were conducting door-to-door checks in surrounding buildings to identify any additional victims or trapped residents.
Officers swiftly evacuated a nearby sports centre following the initial explosion from where several children were safely escorted out.
Residents described the explosion as 鈥渆arthquake-like,鈥 telling local media that nearby buildings trembled under the force of the blast.
Rome prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his solidarity, praying for those affected by the incident 鈥渋n the heart of my Diocese.鈥
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also said she was closely monitoring the situation.