At least 20 people have been injured after multiple explosions at a petrol station in Rome.
A truck is believed to have hit a gas pipe, with police saying two consecutive blasts occurred while emergency services were at the scene.
The sound of the explosions was reportedly heard across the Italian capital.
It happened on Via dei Gordiani 32, in the east of the city, at 8.18am local time.
A fire also broke out and several buildings nearby have been damaged, with others evacuated.
Pic: Vigili del Fuoco
The Teano subway station has been closed and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has contacted the mayor to offer assistance.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo said in a statement: “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.”
Pic: AP
Pic: Reuters
Multiple police officers and at least one firefighter are among the injured, authorities said, but none are said to be in a critical condition.
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“We are working on a tank explosion… the fire is still ongoing,” the fire department said in a statement.
A witness told Reuters news agency: “I heard it as I was leaving the house, there was a very loud bang, the whole house shook and I was afraid the windows might shatter given how strong it was.”
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