At least 40 people injured in blast. Prime minister Meloni in contact with Rome mayor.A massive explosion occurred at a petrol station in the eastern Prenestino district of Rome on Friday morning, causing a loud boom that was heard in many areas of the capital.Dozens of people were injured in the blast on Via dei Gordiani, including a firefighter, nine police officers and passersby, with nearby buildings also damaged. Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni said she is following the situation closely and has spoken to Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Boato a #Roma, esplosione in un distributore di gas: diversi feriti tra i soccorritori. Nel video il momento dell'esplosione. Immagini di guerra e distruzione. #esplosioneroma #Rome #Italy pic.twitter.com/XLw2bPhNww — Marco Ferraglioni (@MFerraglioni) July 4, 2025 "I express my solidarity with all the injured - including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers - and extend my heartfelt thanks to all those engaged in rescue and safety operations", Meloni said in a post on X. The explosion occurred shortly after 08.00 and was reportedly caused when a pump became detached from a petrol tank during refuelling. #Roma, #esplosione in un distributore di carburante in via dei Gordiani, zona Casilino: coinvolto uno dei #vigilidelfuoco intervenuti.Squadre impegnate a spegnere le fiamme che stanno interessando il deposito giudiziario nella parte retrostante la stazione di rifornimento.… pic.twitter.com/P0zLAzFg3T — Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) July 4, 2025 A thick column of smoke was visible from much of the city and the Teano Metro C subway stop was closed temporarily for safety reasons, with traffic closures and bus detours in the area. Pope Leo XIV, the bishop of Rome, said he was praying for the people involved in the explosion, adding that he was following the "developments of this tragic accident with apprehension''. The nearby Villa De Sanctis sports centre operating as a summer camp for children was evacuated before the explosion, as soon as the first sign of smoke was seen, the head of the complex Fabio Balzani told La Stampa newspaper. "There were eight children. The parents arrived, the kids are all fine. If it had happened an hour later it would have been a massacre: there would have been 60 children from the summer camp, us managers, and 120 booked in the swimming pool", Balzani said, adding that the sports centre now "looks like a battlefield".  Authorities have advised curious onlookers to stay away from the site and for local residents or people driving in the vicinity to keep their windows closed. For updates see the Roma Capitale website. This is a developing story....

A massive explosion occurred at a petrol station in the eastern Prenestino district of Rome on Friday morning, causing a loud boom that was heard in many areas of the capital. Dozens of people were injured in the blast on Via dei Gordiani, including a firefighter, nine police officers and passersby, with nearby buildings also damaged. Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni said she is following the situation closely and has spoken to Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Boato a , esplosione in un distributore di gas: diversi feriti tra i soccorritori. Nel video il momento dell'esplosione. Immagini di guerra e distruzione. — Marco Ferraglioni (@MFerraglioni) "I express my solidarity with all the injured - including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers - and extend my heartfelt thanks to all those engaged in rescue and safety operations", Meloni said in a post on X. The explosion occurred shortly after 08.00 and was reportedly caused when a pump became detached from a petrol tank during refuelling. , in un distributore di carburante in via dei Gordiani, zona Casilino: coinvolto uno dei intervenuti.
Squadre impegnate a spegnere le fiamme che stanno interessando il deposito giudiziario nella parte retrostante la stazione di rifornimento.… — Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) A thick column of smoke was visible from much of the city and the Teano Metro C subway stop was closed temporarily for safety reasons, with traffic closures and bus detours in the area. Pope Leo XIV, the bishop of Rome, said he was praying for the people involved in the explosion, adding that he was following the "developments of this tragic accident with apprehension''. The nearby Villa De Sanctis sports centre operating as a summer camp for children was evacuated before the explosion, as soon as the first sign of smoke was seen, the head of the complex Fabio Balzani told La Stampa newspaper. "There were eight children. The parents arrived, the kids are all fine. If it had happened an hour later it would have been a massacre: there would have been 60 children from the summer camp, us managers, and 120 booked in the swimming pool", Balzani said, adding that the sports centre now "looks like a battlefield".  Authorities have advised curious onlookers to stay away from the site and for local residents or people driving in the vicinity to keep their windows closed. For updates see the . This is a developing story....