CASERTA, Italy – December 24, 2025 – A dramatic explosion involving a tanker truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) occurred yesterday afternoon on the A1 Milano-Napoli highway near Caserta. The incident, which took place around 5:00 PM, involved a collision between a heavy vehicle – a car transporter – and the LPG tanker. Following the impact, the tanker immediately caught fire, leading to a powerful explosion that created craters on the road surface and was heard for miles around.
Rapid Response and Evacuation Avert Disaster
Emergency services, including the Caserta Provincial Fire Brigade, detachments from Teano, Aversa, and Cassino, along with the Traffic Police and personnel from Autostrade per l’Italia, swiftly responded to the scene. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the fire department, the area was evacuated prior to the explosion, a critical factor in preventing any casualties or injuries.
“It was a formidable combination of events that, despite the explosion, resulted in no victims or injuries,” stated a representative from the emergency services. The prompt action of all involved agencies ensured the safety of individuals in the vicinity.
Highway Closures and Traffic Disruptions
The A1 highway was immediately closed for safety reasons. Shortly after 7:00 PM, the section of the A1 between Capua and Caianello in the direction of Rome was reopened. However, the southbound carriageway towards Naples remained closed for an extended period to facilitate safety operations and repair the significant damage.
By approximately 9:00 PM, significant traffic queues were reported. There was a 6 km queue at the mandatory exit of Caianello for those heading towards Naples and another 6 km queue between Santa Maria Capua Vetere and Capua in the direction of Rome.
Autostrade per l’Italia advised motorists traveling from Rome to Naples to exit at Cassino, use ordinary roads, and re-enter the highway at the Capua station. For long-distance travelers from Rome to Naples, an alternative route via the A24 Roma-Teramo, A25 Torano-Pescara, and A14 Bologna-Taranto was recommended.
Reopening and Ongoing Repairs
The section between Capua and Caianello in the direction of Naples reopened shortly after 9:00 PM. By 10:15 PM, a 3 km queue was still present at the scene, with traffic flowing on two lanes: one diverted through the Teano Ovest service area and another on the opposite carriageway.
As of 10:20 PM, Autostrade per l’Italia suggested that users coming from Rome and heading towards Naples exit at Frosinone, take the SS6 Casilina, and rejoin the highway at Capua station.
A task force from Autostrade per l’Italia is currently working tirelessly to restore the damaged carriageway, aiming for full operational capacity by tomorrow morning. The extent of the damage caused by the explosion necessitates extensive repair work.
This incident highlights the effectiveness of emergency protocols and the coordinated efforts of first responders in mitigating potential tragedies on Italy’s major roadways.
Source: https://www.napolitoday.it/cronaca/autocisterna-esplosione-a1-teano.html
