Gas cylinder explosion in Naples, one dead

There was a victim in the explosion that took place in the late afternoon in Via Peppino De Filippo in Naples: he was a 57-year-old man who was in the building that partially collapsed due to the deflagration.

One woman was seriously injured and was taken to hospital. Her husband and two other people were treated at the scene. The investigation into the explosion, which was probably caused by a gas cylinder, is being carried out by the police. At the moment, it is ruled out that there are any missing persons, although the fire brigade is continuing to excavate and secure the area.

The explosion, according to initial investigations, was caused by a gas leak inside a restaurant depot where some cylinders were located. The building partially collapsed and another well-known restaurant, adjacent to the depot, suffered serious damage. Rescuers first extracted the injured woman alive and then helped three other people to the scene. Then the search began for a man who had gone missing: when he was located, there was nothing left for him to do. The Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, activated the Rescue Coordination Centre at the Prefecture's Civil Protection Room to coordinate activities. Several fire brigade teams, local police officers, Carabinieri, state police and even a magistrate from the Naples Public Prosecutor's Office, who opened a file on the explosion, were on the scene. The explosion caused panic among the inhabitants of the area, in the city centre, who took to the streets. The whole area was sealed off and vehicle traffic was also heavily affected.

"Deep sorrow for the death caused by the collapse near Via Foria. As administration we are close to the victim's family. Now the responsibility for the explosion must be ascertained, the safety of citizens must always be a priority'. This was written on X by the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, regarding the explosion in which a man died.