A powerful explosion at a gas station in Rome’s Prenestino–Centocelle district caused widespread panic and serious injuries on the morning of July 4, 2025. The incident occurred at around 8:18 AM at a fuel station on Via dei Gordiani and sent a massive column of smoke into the sky, which was visible across several neighborhoods in the capital.

According to initial reports, several people sustained injuries, including at least three individuals who suffered severe burns. Among the injured were eight police officers and one firefighter who were responding to the scene when the second and more powerful explosion occurred. Authorities believe that the blast was triggered when a fuel pump disconnected from an underground tank, causing a sudden ignition.

Residents in the vicinity reported smelling gas before a smaller blast was heard, followed by the larger explosion that shook buildings and shattered windows. Vehicles parked nearby were damaged, and debris was scattered across the area. A nursery and a nearby sports facility also sustained damage in the incident.

Emergency services responded swiftly, evacuating residents and closing off the affected area. Rome's public transport agency, Atac, suspended operations at the nearby Teano metro station as a precaution. Hospitals across the city were placed on alert to receive casualties, and shelters were prepared for those displaced by the explosion.

Firefighters continue to secure the area and investigate the cause of the blast. Authorities are assessing the structural safety of nearby buildings and the integrity of the gas station’s infrastructure. Although the explosion appears to be accidental, a formal investigation is ongoing to determine if there were lapses in safety protocols.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about fuel station safety in densely populated urban areas. City officials are expected to announce new safety checks and possibly stricter regulations to prevent similar events in the future. Meanwhile, affected residents are being assisted by municipal support teams, and further updates are expected as investigations proceed.