On the morning of July 4, 2025, a devastating explosion rocked the Prenestino district in eastern Rome, leaving dozens injured and forcing residents to flee their homes. The blast occurred at a petrol station located on Via dei Gordiani, a site that serves petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The incident unfolded at approximately 8:18 AM local time and was so powerful that it was heard across much of the Italian capital.
According to multiple sources, the catastrophe began when a truck accidentally struck a gas pipe or refuelling pump at the station. This collision ignited a fire that triggered a series of chain explosions, culminating in a massive fireball that engulfed the entire facility. Elisabetta Accardo, a spokesperson for the Roman police, described the sequence: "There were a few chain explosions after the first one." She added that the second explosion was significantly larger and effectively destroyed the petrol station.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the event. One resident, Massimo Bartoletti, told Italian newspaper La Repubblica, "I saw the first explosion with the classic fireball. Shortly after came the second one which was hellish. A fiery mushroom cloud formed in the sky. It shook the whole area. It looked like hell, everything was flying in the sky." Another witness described the blast as sounding like a bomb, with the shockwave shaking windows and buildings.
The explosion's force was so immense that parts of a fuel tanker were reportedly blown hundreds of meters from the site. Debris, including glass and iron fragments, rained down on the surrounding area, injuring numerous people.
Emergency services were already present at the scene when the blasts occurred, having been called moments earlier in response to the initial fire. Despite their rapid response, at least 45 people were injured, including eight police officers and one firefighter. Among the injured, two individuals are reported to be in serious condition, including a gas tanker driver who was pulled from a burning vehicle by rescuers. Andrea Quattrocchi, a major in the Carabinieri police force, confirmed that the person remains hospitalized with severe injuries.
Fire crews, numbering around ten teams, worked tirelessly to extinguish the ongoing fire. The fire department confirmed that the blaze was still active hours after the initial explosion. One firefighter was injured but not seriously, according to spokesperson Luca Cari.
The blast caused significant structural damage to nearby buildings, shattering windows and igniting fires that spread to adjacent structures, including a judicial building. Authorities evacuated approximately 50 families from the surrounding area as a precautionary measure. A nearby summer camp, housing about eight children at the time, was also evacuated prior to the explosion, averting what could have been a catastrophic loss of life. Fabio Balzani, president of the Villa de Sanctis sports centre where the camp was located, described the scene as looking "like a battlefield" after the blast.
Rome's public transportation agency, Atac, closed the nearby Teano metro station following police instructions. Checks were conducted at a nearby nursery and sports centre to ensure no one else was injured.
Hospitals across Rome, including San Giovanni, Sandro Pertini, and Sant'Eugenio, were alerted to prepare for incoming trauma victims. Several people were treated not only for burns but also for trauma injuries such as fractures sustained during the chaos.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her concern on social media, stating she was closely monitoring the situation and had contacted Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. The mayor, who visited the site, thanked emergency services for their swift and effective response, crediting them with preventing even worse consequences. Mayor Gualtieri also spoke with Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, who conveyed his gratitude to all involved in the rescue efforts.
Pope Leo XIV issued a statement praying for those affected by the tragedy, saying, "I pray for the people involved in the explosion of a gas station, which occurred this morning in the Prenestino Labicano neighbourhood in the heart of my diocese. I continue to follow the developments of this tragic incident with concern."
Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi praised the courage and dedication of the emergency responders, highlighting their "extraordinary example of dedication to public service, which deserves respect and gratitude from everyone." He added that necessary safety checks and remediation efforts are underway at the blast site.
The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the explosion. So far, there is no indication of foul play or criminal intent; the incident appears to be a tragic accident.
Residents in the area described a terrifying experience, with many waking to the sound of the blast that shook their homes and shattered windows. Some reported a strong smell of gas prior to the explosion, adding to the sense of dread. One woman named Claudia shared that her mother suffered a cut from shattered glass, underscoring the widespread impact of the blast on the local community.
Shocking footage circulated on social media captured the moment of the explosion, showing a massive orange fireball and thick plumes of smoke rising high into the sky. Videos also showed debris scattered across nearby sports fields and damage to fences and buildings.
In the wake of the explosion, emergency crews remain on site, continuing to battle the fire and secure the area. The community faces a long recovery process as investigations continue and reconstruction efforts begin.
