At least 40 wounded as explosion rocks petrol station in Rome

An explosion at a petrol station in Rome has injured at least 40 people, including 11 police officers and one firefighter.

The explosion, which occurred on Friday around 8:20 am, was heard across the Italian capital and sent up a huge cloud of dark smoke and fire.

Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome, said local police and firefighters rushed to the area after receiving a report of a gas leak.

Gualtieri said two explosions followed after they arrived.

“Local police immediately evacuated a sports center nearby, while other officers evacuated buildings on the other side of the gas station, avoiding a much more serious tragedy,” he added.

Rescuers noted that an early intervention avoided a much more tragic outcome, with several children brought to safety just in time to avoid the second.

Fabio Balzani, president of the sports centre, noted that the timing of the first explosion was key to averting a disaster, as just half an hour later dozens of children would have arrived at the summer camp.

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, said she was closely following the consequences of the explosion, adding that she had spoken with Gualtieri.

Pope Leo XIV prayed for the affected persons.

Last December, an explosion at a fuel depot near Florence killed five people.