Rome, March 22 – Three residential buildings collapsed yesterday in the Piana del Sole district, a suburb of Rome near the Rome-Fiumicino highway and Parco Leonardo, following a powerful explosion. The incident, which occurred at approximately 12:15 PM, resulted in three injuries, with an elderly couple in serious condition, and the displacement of 29 residents.
Elderly Couple Seriously Injured in Explosion
The explosion is believed to have been caused by two buried LPG gas cylinders intended to supply one of the affected homes on Via Tavagnasco, at the corner of Via Cigliè. Michele and Chiara De Bari, an 84-year-old husband and his 86-year-old wife, who owned the house where the blast originated, were severely burned. They were transported to Sant’Eugenio Hospital in code red, suffering burns to 20% of their bodies. Fortunately, their lives are not believed to be in danger.
Firefighters, who promptly arrived at the scene, rescued other individuals trapped under the rubble. A 24-year-old man was taken to the hospital for precautionary checks. Authorities confirmed that no other residents were involved or trapped.
Extensive Damage and Evacuations
The powerful blast caused significant damage not only to the three collapsed structures but also to several neighbouring buildings and parked cars. Debris was reportedly scattered up to 200 metres away from the epicentre of the explosion. One resident, Cristian, living about 50 metres from the site on Via Demonte, recounted, “We were at home, suddenly there was a thunderous sound, and a piece of wood flew into our kitchen. The explosion even bent our house windows.” Giorgia, 28, who lives in the villa adjacent to the destroyed house, described a strong smell of gas upon her return.
The incident has rendered five buildings uninhabitable, leading to the displacement of 29 people. Most have found refuge with relatives, while two individuals will receive assistance from the Municipality of Rome.
Emergency Response and Mayoral Statement
An extensive deployment of emergency services, including multiple fire brigades from Eur, Ostia, and Pisana, as well as the Gos unit, Canine unit, and Crrc, responded to the scene. The local police of Roma Capitale secured the area, assessed the damage, and managed housing assistance procedures.
Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri visited the site, stating, “There are two seriously injured people, and we are waiting to understand how many people will require emergency housing. Now the firefighters will ascertain the causes; it seems to be an LPG cylinder in one of the houses.” He added, “The power of the explosion is quite impressive. The surrounding buildings are damaged, some will be uninhabitable. We need to understand how many people will have to move to find accommodation.” The Mayor also thanked the rescue teams and operators for their swift response.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
Investigations into the exact cause of the explosion are ongoing. The initial assessment points to the buried gas cylinders as the source of the deflagration. The event has left the local community shaken, with many residents experiencing the immediate and far-reaching effects of the powerful blast.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Source: roma.corriere.it
