Rome gas station blast that left at least 40 injured could have been worse, says mayor

ROME (AP) — A gas station explosion early Friday in southeastern Rome injured at least 40 people, including 11 police officers and one firefighter, but immediate rescue intervention avoided a much more tragic outcome, local authorities and rescuers said.

The explosion was heard across the Italian capital shortly after 8 a.m. and sent up a huge cloud of dark smoke and fire that was visible from several areas of the city.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said that local police and firefighters rushed to the area after receiving a report of a gas leak. Two explosions followed after they arrived, he added.

“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," Gualtieri said.

Police said that at least 24 residents were injured, including two who were in “severe conditions,” and hospitalized at Rome's Casilino hospital.

Eleven of the injured are from law enforcement corps — police and carabinieri — and one is a firefighter, they said, adding they are not in life-threatening conditions.

Fifteen firefighting teams were at the site trying to bring the fire under control.

Rome prosecutors have begun an investigation into the cause of the explosion, which could be related to a previous gas leak during the unloading phase of liquified petroleum gas at the station.

The sports center near the gas station was evacuated swiftly by police following the first explosion, with several children brought to safety just in time to avoid the second.

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

“If it had happened, as I have already told everyone, half an hour later, it would have been a catastrophe," he said.

Barbara Belardinelli said that she and her daughter were slightly injured when they heard the first explosion and left their home to investigate before the next explosion struck them.

“As soon as we heard the second explosion, we were also hit by a ball of fire. I thought that a car near us exploded, metal fragments were flying in the air,” she said. “We felt the fire on the skin, the arm of my daughter is still red, it was horrible."

Other residents said the explosion was so loud and violent it struck nearby buildings “like an earthquake,” breaking windows and ripping off shutters.

Pope Leo XIV said that he was praying for those affected by the explosion, which happened “in the heart of my Diocese.”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was closely following the developments.

“Thanks to the rapidity and expertise shown in the first intervention to secure and close the affected area, and the speed of the rescue, it was possible to prevent this tragic event from having even more serious consequences,” Meloni said.

Smoke rises after a gas station exploded on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Firefighters monitor the area where a gas station exploded on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Smoke rises after a gas station exploded on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Firefighters work on a cite of a gas station explosion on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Firefighters at the scene of an explosion at a gas station in Rome, Italy, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Firefighters at the scene of an explosion at a gas station in Rome, Italy, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Firefighters work as smoke rises after a gas station exploded on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Emergency services work as smoke rises after a gas station exploded on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Firefighters work as smoke rises after a gas station exploded on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Smoke rises after a gas station exploded on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool manager Arne Slot insisted there were no outstanding issues between him and Mohamed Salah after recalling the club great to the team for the 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Salah received a rapturous welcome from Liverpool fans after coming on as a first-half substitute and they chanted his name during and after the game at Anfield — including after he set up Hugo Ekitike for the second goal.

In an explosive outburst last weekend, Salah told reporters his relationship with Slot had broken down after being dropped for three straight games and that he felt like “someone doesn’t want me in the club.”

He was then left at home when Liverpool traveled to Inter Milan for a Champions League match on Tuesday, with Slot saying he did not know if Salah would play again for the club.

However, a few days later, Salah was back in the squad for the Brighton game after he held conversations with Slot on Friday.

“For me there is no issue to resolve. He is now the same as any other player,” Slot said after the game. “I usually never say anything about what we talk about, I am not going to make an exception now. But I think actions speak louder than what has been said and he was in the squad again.

“When I had to make my first substitution, I brought him in and he performed as every fan including me would like him to today. The moment he is there I like to use him when we need him. When he came in, he had the performance like you would want him to to give.”

After the final whistle, Salah applauded all four sides of Anfield — like some of his other teammates. Salah lingered in front of The Kop stand as fans chanted his name and patted the club crest on his jersey before leaving the pitch and heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.

Slot did not think that was a farewell gesture by Salah.

“He wasn’t the only player who walked around the pitch, thanking the fans because the fans deserved a thank you from us," Slot said. “Mo is going to go to AFCON. I hope he is going to do very well. And in the meantime, we have to play here without him, without many players."

Salah was an unused substitute for the 3-3 draw with Leeds last Saturday, after which he opened up on his frustrations. Before that, he'd been an unused sub in a win at West Ham and came on at halftime of a home draw against Sunderland.

Salah is Liverpool's biggest star and also the club’s record scorer in the Premier League. He has four league goals in 14 appearances this season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Carlos Baleba, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, warms up prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah warms up prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sits on the bench before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sits on the bench before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot applauds at the end of a Champions League, league phase, soccer match between Inter Milan and Liverpool in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Dec.9, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah smiles as he takes part in a training session in Liverpool, England, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)