Three rushed to hospital and dozens evacuated after explosion in Rome
Emergency services took three people to hospital and evacuated dozens after explosions ripped through three apartment buildings in Rome.
The explosion occurred on a residential street in Piana del Sole, Rome, on Sunday, and local media reported that it was caused by the explosion of gas cylinders buried in the backyard.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Via Tavagnasco and Via Ciglie.
Corriere Della Sera reported that debris from the explosion was found some 660 ft from the site.
The elderly owners of the property where the gas cylinders were buried (husband and wife, aged 84 and 86 respectively) were taken to the nearby Sant’Eugenio Hospital in a critical condition.
They were named Michele and Chiara De Bari. Both suffered burns to at least 20% of their bodies, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
After firefighters rescued people trapped in the rubble of buildings, a 24-year-old man was taken to the hospital and treated.
A total of 5 buildings became uninhabitable, and 29 people had to be evacuated from the area.
The incident occurred at the junction of Via Tavagnasco and Via Ciglie.
The explosion tore apart a residential street in Rome’s Piana del Sole.
Many vehicles parked in the surrounding area were also damaged in the explosion.
Local resident Cristian told the Italian newspaper: ‘We were at home and at one point we heard thunder and a piece of wood flew into our kitchen. ‘The explosion also broke the windows of our house.’
Another resident, Giorgia, said: ‘[Firefighters] He told me the windows and doors were blown out. ‘As soon as I arrived I smelled a strong smell of gas.’
Following the explosion, multiple fire and police teams were sent to the area to deal with the incident and are still at the scene to conduct a formal investigation into exactly what happened.
After thanking the emergency services, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said: ‘Firefighters will determine the cause. It appears that there is a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder in one of the houses.
‘The power of the explosion is quite impressive. Surrounding buildings will be damaged, some of them will become uninhabitable. ‘We need to find out how many people need to be moved.’
