Rome, a gas cylinder explodes: a building collapses. Two seriously injured and 70 evacuated

a building collapsed and two were gutted following an explosion in the Ponte Galeria area of Rome. It happened shortly before 1pm in Via Tavagnasco. The explosion involved three houses, destroying all the walls of the structures and debris damaged parked cars. The accident was allegedly caused by the explosion of a LPG cylinder. Two people were injured: they are husband and wife, aged 86 and 84, who were transported to hospital in a red code.

"It was a very powerful, impressive explosion that completely destroyed a building and damaged those around it. The fire brigade is analysing the causes, it would seem to be a gas leak from a LPG system that the house had," said the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, who went to the site where the collapse occurred. "We are verifying how many people are in need of housing assistance," Gualtieri added, assuring: "All those in need will not be left alone." As for the affected buildings, he explained: 'They are quite new, 7 years old, and in good condition. They had no problems and were built in a regular manner'.