The explosion was heard across the Italian capital shortly after 8 a.m. local time and sent a huge cloud of dark smoke and fire that was visible from across the city.

Huge explosion in Rome injures several people as locals flee for safety - Images from the scene show an enormous orange fireball in the sky over the Rome suburb of Prenestino

A gas station explosion in southeastern Rome has injured at least 25 people including nine first responders who rushed to the scene