RIGHT NOW: Large explosion – 20 injured in Rome

Italy

Large explosion in Rome – several injured

Anna Sjögren

Updated 11.06 | Published 09.41

A giant explosion has occurred at a gas station in Rome.

At least 20 people have been injured, including police and ambulance personnel.

The explosion occurred shortly after eight in the morning. A large fireball and a black column of smoke can be seen rising from the scene.

According to Italian media, the explosion was heard throughout Rome and witnesses say it looked like a bomb had detonated.

Windows on nearby buildings were shattered and pieces of metal were reportedly flying into the air by the explosion. A fire has also started at the scene.

A video shows how a nearby tennis court was covered in debris from the explosion.

Seriously burned

Rescue services, police and ambulance are working at the scene. At least 20 people have been injured, according to La Repubblica. Some of the injured are said to be passers-by at the scene, others are police officers and ambulance personnel.

Several are said to be seriously burned, others have been hit by broken glass, according to Roma Today.

According to the newspaper  Il Messagero, rescue services and ambulances were on the scene shortly before, due to a truck crashing into a pipeline. When they arrived at the scene, the explosion occurred.

Fifteen children have been evacuated from a nearby summer camp. The city has activated its emergency plan to handle the large influx of injured people to hospitals.

 

At least 20 people have been injured in the explosion. Photo: Marco Iacobucci/ Stella Pictures

 

Window panes have been shattered by the shock wave. Photo: Marco Iacobucci/Stella Pictures

 

The explosion was reportedly heard throughout Rome. Photo: Marco Iacobucci/Stella Pictures