Rome, July 4 || An explosion ripped through a gas station in eastern Rome on Friday morning, injuring more than 40 people, local media reported.
According to local authorities, the explosion took place at a gas station on Via Gordiani in the Prenestino district of eastern Rome. While none of the injured are in critical condition, five people were hospitalised for treatment. Some of the casualties included rescue workers responding to the scene.
Preliminary findings from the local fire department suggest the explosion may have been triggered by a pump detaching from a tanker truck. Authorities are conducting further investigations.
A spiral of smoke was seen rising into the sky from a distance of approximately three or four kilometers, around 8 am. A small explosion at the gas station made the rescue operations difficult initially, but it was soon followed by a much powerful explosion, one which was heard in many areas in Italy's capital city. The shock wave of the explosion was reported to be around 200 metres. Rescue teams are using a helicopter and a foam truck, Italian daily Il Foglio reported on Friday afternoon.
It also added that among the injured were operators, a firefighter, local residents who live in the area of Via Romolo Balzani, and around eight police officers. The strong smell of gas initially led to the timely intervention and rescue of the local residents, moving them as far away as possible from the site, to areas that were less densely populated.