Massive Explosion at Rome Fuel Depot Injures Dozens

A powerful explosion rocked a fuel depot on Via dei Gordiani in Rome’s Prenestino district early Friday morning, injuring at least 20 people and causing extensive damage to surrounding buildings and vehicles. The blast, which occurred shortly after 8:00 a.m., sent a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the sky, visible across the city.

Preliminary findings from Rome’s fire department suggest the explosion was triggered by a mechanical failure during a refueling operation, possibly involving a fuel tanker pump or pipeline that sparked a fire. The blaze spread to a nearby judicial depot containing oxygen tanks, raising concerns about further explosions. Firefighters deployed ten teams to contain the flames, while emergency services evacuated nearby structures, including a children’s summer camp at the Villa De Sanctis sports center.

Among the injured were eight police officers and a firefighter who were responding to a reported gas leak when the explosion occurred. At least three people suffered severe burns, though no injuries were reported as life-threatening. Five individuals were hospitalized, and others were treated for cuts and minor injuries. No fatalities have been reported.

The explosion shattered windows, tore window frames, and scattered debris up to 300 meters, damaging homes, cars, and infrastructure in the densely populated residential area. The Teano metro station on Line C was closed, and several roads, including sections of Via dei Gordiani and Via Casilina, were shut down, with bus line 412 rerouted.

Rome’s emergency protocols for mass casualty incidents were activated, with hospitals like Casilino, San Giovanni, Umberto I, and Gemelli on standby. Antonio Magi, president of the Order of Physicians and Dentists of Rome, noted that health risks are minimal if no further fuel leaks occur. The Rome Prosecutor’s Office is awaiting reports from firefighters and law enforcement to investigate the cause of the blast.

Firefighting efforts continue as authorities assess the structural and environmental damage. The incident has disrupted the Prenestino neighborhood, with residents describing the scene as chaotic and the explosion’s sound as “like a bomb.”