• At least 40 people injured, with several in critical condition.
• The explosion occurred at a petrol station in southeastern Rome, shortly after 8 AM.
• Emergency responders were among those injured during subsequent explosions.

A massive explosion at a petrol station in Rome's eastern Prenestino neighborhood on Friday injured at least 45 people, including 12 police officers and six firefighters, according to reports from Indiatimes and Reuters. The explosion, which occurred during refueling operations, sent a fireball and thick smoke into the sky, audible across the city. Initial reports indicated a gas leak that preceded the explosions.

Following the initial blast, emergency responders rushed to the scene, where further explosions occurred, injuring many. Elisabetta Accardo, a police spokesperson, noted that "there were a few chain explosions after the first one," with emergency personnel suffering primarily from burns but not life-threatening injuries, as reported by Newsweek and CBS News.

Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri described the explosion as "powerful," likening it to an earthquake, with reports from eyewitnesses claiming walls shook and windows shattered in surrounding buildings, according to HuffPost and Indiatimes. Health authorities reported that some victims required hospitalization, with two individuals in critical condition due to severe burns.

In addition to evacuation protocols initiated by police, the nearby sports center was evacuated swiftly, potentially avoiding a larger catastrophe as it was set to host a summer camp that day. Reacting to the incident, Pope Leo XIV expressed his prayers for the victims and noted the gravity of the situation in his diocese, according to Reuters and CBS News.