Explosion at Rome Gas Station: Casualties Rise to Over 40
An unexpected and devastating incident occurred in the heart of Italy's capital—Rome—at one of the busiest and most crowded fuel stations. According to the latest reports, the number of injured as a result of the explosion at this station has reached an astonishing 45 people, with two in critical condition in intensive care. This information has been confirmed by local rescue and police authorities, citing official sources from 'European Pravda' referencing ANSA agency. Details indicate that the explosion took place at a station located on Via Gordi. The blast caused injuries not only to local residents but also to law enforcement officers and emergency personnel. In total, 24 civilians, 11 police officers, one carabiner, six firefighters, and three emergency service workers were injured. Rescue teams managed to save one individual from a burning car that ignited after the explosion. Preliminary police reports suggest that the incident was triggered by an accidental mishap during the transfer of liquefied natural gas. Emergency responders initially arrived on the scene due to a reported gas leak, but during their work, a powerful explosion occurred, causing extensive damage. The incident could have resulted in far more casualties, especially considering that a nearby emergency medical station with oxygen tanks was at risk of explosion. Efforts are ongoing to survey the destroyed buildings and assess damages around the area. Many windows and facades have been shattered, and debris litters the surrounding territory. Initial reports indicated about 20 injured, but this number has since increased to 45. Additionally, children from a nearby summer camp have been evacuated, and the site has been secured to prevent further tragedy. Had the explosion happened just an hour later, approximately 60 children would have been present in the affected zone, highlighting the scale of the potential disaster. Firefighters and rescue teams continue to examine the extent of destruction and damage in the area. This tragic event echoes a similar recent incident—an explosion at a fuel depot in Nagorno-Karabakh in October 2023 that resulted in over a hundred fatalities and nearly 300 injuries. That incident occurred amid a mass exodus from the region due to its transfer under Azerbaijani control, where large queues for fuel were forming, increasing the risk of further accidents.