21 people were injured, including eight police officers and a firefighter, following a powerful explosion that occurred this morning at a fuel station and depot in the Italian capital, Rome.
The explosion in the Prenestina area, which was followed by a fire, caused a blast that was heard in several neighborhoods across the capital.
Rome’s public transport authority reported that it had closed the nearby Teano metro station based on police instructions as a precautionary measure following the explosion.
In a statement, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed that fire crews are currently at the scene working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading.
Italian authorities have not yet announced the cause of the explosion.