ROME – A powerful explosion at a gas station on the outskirts of Rome on Friday, July 4, left at least 45 people injured, with two in life-threatening condition, and caused widespread damage, sending shockwaves across the Italian capital. The incident, which occurred around 8:20 AM local time in the Prenestino district, specifically on Via dei Gordiani, is believed to have stemmed from a gas leak during refueling operations, escalating into a catastrophic Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) of liquefied natural gas.
The blast was of such immense force that it was heard throughout Rome, rattling windows and causing residents to fear a bomb had detonated. A towering fireball and thick plume of black smoke ascended into the sky, visible from various parts of the city. Michele Secu, a 23-year-old worker from the now-destroyed Polisportiva Villa De Sanctis sports center located nearby, recounted the horrifying experience, stating he felt his skin burning despite being approximately 15 meters from the station. The severity of the explosion was likened to an "earthquake" by some residents, who reported broken windows and ripped-off shutters in adjacent buildings.
Among the 45 individuals injured, 21 were emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters, and other rescue personnel, who had swiftly converged on the scene following initial reports of a gas leak. Two of the injured remain in critical condition, with one person sustaining burns over 55% of their body, highlighting the extreme danger faced by those in the immediate vicinity. Eyewitnesses also reported that ambulances at the scene were engulfed in the secondary explosions.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri confirmed the gas leak as the precursor to the tragic event. Ennio Aquilino, the regional director of the Lazio Fire Department, further elaborated that the explosion was a BLEVE phenomenon, describing its impact as akin to "a bomb going off." Rome prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the exact cause, with preliminary findings suggesting a potential connection to a gas leak during the unloading of liquefied petroleum gas at the station.
Despite the devastation, rapid intervention by emergency services averted an even greater catastrophe. Authorities had requested an investigation into the gas leak, leading to the timely evacuation of the immediate area, including the Polisportiva Villa De Sanctis sports center. This crucial decision prevented potential casualties among the approximately 60 children anticipated for a summer camp and 120 individuals booked to use the swimming pool, as stated by Fabio Balzani, the center's head. "If it had happened an hour later, it would have been a massacre," Balzani remarked.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences to the injured and lauded the prompt and effective response of the rescue teams, acknowledging their efforts in preventing a more extensive tragedy. Pope Leo XIV also offered his prayers for those impacted by the explosion within his diocese, conveying his concern and solidarity. The incident has led to the closure of surrounding roads and the nearby metro station as investigations continue and cleanup efforts commence.
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