A powerful explosion rocked a residential street in Rome, Italy, collapsing three apartment buildings and sending three people to the hospital. The blast on Piana del Sole forced the evacuation of 70 residents, leaving five buildings uninhabitable.
Injuries and Immediate Response
Firefighters rushed to the scene after gas cylinders buried in a back garden detonated. Michele De Bari, 84, and his wife Chiara De Bari, 86, property owners, suffered burns covering at least 20% of their bodies. Both remain in critical condition at Sant’Eugenio Hospital, though their injuries do not appear life-threatening.
A 24-year-old man, rescued from the rubble, received medical assessment at the hospital.
Blast Impact and Eyewitness Accounts
Debris scattered up to 660 feet, damaging nearby cars and structures. Walls of affected homes crumbled, and parked vehicles bore the brunt of flying wreckage.
One resident described the chaos: “We heard a deafening bang from the house across from ours. Debris struck everything—the large window, my son’s car, the gate—everything was destroyed. Fortunately, my wife, the dog, and I are fine.”
Other witnesses reported windows bending from the blast’s force.
Official Actions and Mayor’s Statement
Multiple firefighter teams and police managed the aftermath. Local authorities collaborate with the Civil Protection Department to provide housing for evacuees.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri issued a statement: “I extend my thoughts to the injured, wishing them a speedy recovery. I thank the firefighters, local police, Civil Protection, healthcare workers, City Council, and the president for their support.
“We won’t leave them alone.”
The mayor noted one building completely destroyed, with surrounding structures showing varying damage. “Firefighters will determine the cause. It appears to be a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder in one of the houses. The power of the explosion is quite impressive. Some surrounding buildings are damaged and uninhabitable. We need to figure out how many people will need to be moved.”
