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A petrol station explosion in Rome has injured at least nine people

Italian authorities reported that at least nine people were injured, including eight officers of police and one firefighter. The explosion occurred in a petrol station east of Rome on Friday.

Italian capital heard the loud explosion at the petrol, diesel and LPG distributor in Prenestino.

The fire department issued a statement saying that they were still working on the tank explosion. One of their officers was hospitalised.

Italian news agencies reported that emergency services had arrived on the scene prior to the explosion, after they were called when a truck struck a pipeline in the service station.

The fire spread to nearby depots, and the shockwave of the explosion caused damage to nearby buildings.

News agencies reported that eight police officers, ambulance workers, and passers-by were all injured.

Five people were taken to hospital by emergency services.

The local news website Roma Today posted a photo of a large ball of smoke and flames rising into the air above the service station. The fire department released separate images showing the petrol station nearly completely destroyed.

A witness reported: "I heard the bang as I left the house. The whole house was shaking and I was worried that the windows would shatter due to the strength of the impact."

In a press release, the office of Prime Minister Giorgia meloni said that she was closely monitoring the situation.

(source: Reuters)