Gas tank explodes in Rome: 45 injured in hospital, two are serious

50 people were injured when a tanker exploded at a LPG gas station and depot in Rome (in Via dei Gordiani) during a refuelling operation. Two people are in serious condition at the Sant'Eugenio hospital: they present a complex clinical picture and are being supported by mechanical respiration. Among the injured, eleven are police officers, one carabiniere, six firemen and three Ares 118 operators, who were engaged, even before the explosion and during the gas leak, in securing the children of the summer centre located next to the LPG depot. The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation file and ordered the seizure of the depot area and the service station.

Il luogo

via dei Gordiani 32 Roma

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"In the area of the shattered petrol station in Rome, which also had a depot for refuelling LPG, there were several explosions and some vehicles caught fire, including some 118 ambulances,' explained Andrea Quattrocchi, Major Commander of the Rome Casilina Carabinieri Company. 'Near the petrol station there is also a 118 depot where there are several oxygen cylinders: the structure was evacuated, as well as the summer centre for children and some surrounding houses. In all, about fifty people were evacuated. Checks are ongoing to see whether the fires may also have involved the oxygen cylinders in the depot'.

Nine policemen were injured. The officers, according to LaPresse, were injured and intoxicated in order to secure some people. No one, it is learnt, is in life-threatening danger.

"I have just received a call from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, to express his closeness and solidarity with the city and the people involved in this morning's explosion in the Presentino district. I updated him on the situation and he asked me to convey his thanks to all the operators and police forces who promptly intervened on the scene, preventing worse consequences". This was stated in a note by the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri.

"It was an explosion resulting from a 'lpg blif' (a malfunction of the gas system, ed.) comparable to a bomb explosion. After an initial intervention for a gas leak, for which the fire brigade had arrived within a short time, came the explosion'. These are the words of the regional director of the Lazio fire brigade, Ennio Aquilino, on the explosion that took place in Rome, who also clarified that there are still checks underway on the causes. The shock wave shattered windows and damaged the plasterwork of the facades of several surrounding buildings. The flames reached a judicial warehouse behind the petrol station, causing further fires and making it difficult for rescuers to intervene.