Damage from Chain Explosions Grows; 45 Injured Including Firefighters
"If We Had Been Just an Hour Later, the Disaster Would Have Been Much Worse"
A major explosion occurred at a gas station and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) filling station in southeastern Rome, Italy, injuring dozens of people.
According to ANSA and the Associated Press on the 4th (local time), the explosion took place around 8 a.m. in the Prenestino district of Rome. The incident happened while LPG was being transferred from a tanker truck to an external storage tank, during which a gas leak caused a highly explosive fire. As police, firefighters, and rescue workers arrived at the scene to manage the situation, a series of secondary explosions occurred, resulting in even greater damage.
A total of 45 people were injured in the accident and transported to nine nearby hospitals. Among them, two people are in critical condition with burns covering 55% and 25% of their bodies, respectively. The injured include 12 police officers, 6 firefighters, and 3 emergency rescue workers, with the remaining 24 identified as civilians, including bystanders.
At the time of the explosion, a children's camp was underway at a nearby sports center for the summer vacation. Fabio Balzani, the camp operator, said, "Around 7:30 a.m., I detected the smell of gas and smoke, so I urgently evacuated the children. If we had been just an hour later, about 60 children and 120 pool users would have been in danger."
Barbara Bellardinelli, a local resident, said that she and her daughter went outside immediately after hearing the first explosion, only to be caught in the second blast. She described the situation, saying, "Metal fragments were flying through the air, and I felt the flames touch my skin." Her daughter reportedly sustained burns on her arm. Other residents said, "The shock from the explosion felt like an earthquake."
As a result of the explosion, windows in nearby buildings were shattered, and the fire spread to the judicial office building behind the gas station. Due to safety concerns, the Teano station on Rome Metro Line C was temporarily closed.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri stated, "Two explosions occurred in succession immediately after police and firefighters, who had been dispatched following a gas leak report, arrived at the scene." He added, "The police quickly evacuated nearby residents and sports center users, preventing an even greater disaster."
Rome police are investigating to determine the exact cause of the accident. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke with Mayor Gualtieri and said she is closely monitoring the situation.
Pope Leo XIV, the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, said, "I am praying for all those suffering from this accident."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
