A massive explosion at a gas station in a suburb of Rome injured around 30 people, most of them lightly, and shook windows throughout the Italian capital.

During a visit to the scene, Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said the injured included nine police officers and about 20 other people, one of whom is in serious condition.

Buildings nearby were evacuated following the blast, which occurred around 8:20 a.m. local time and, according to Gualtieri, caused “enormous damage,” including to a sports hall where a children’s summer camp was being held.

The children had already been evacuated and are unharmed, AFP reported.

Gualtieri explained that there had been a gas leak during refueling and an initial fire. Emergency services were already on site and evacuation was underway when the explosion happened.

“The explosion was very powerful. I felt my skin burning,” recounted 23-year-old Michele Secco, who works at the sports center.

The blast was heard throughout the Eternal City, with windows shaking even on the other side of town.

Balzani Fabio, director of the sports center, said the first fire broke out around 7:30 or 7:40 a.m., adding that if it had happened later, the consequences could have been catastrophic.

“If it had happened at 8:30 or later, it would have been a massacre, a disaster,” he said.

Around 60 children were expected for the summer camp at the center, and about 120 had booked to use the swimming pool that morning. The center has been destroyed.

Ten firefighting teams were dispatched to the gas station, which supplied both car fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The fire service shared a video on social media showing blackened, smoking structures engulfed in flames.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was closely monitoring the situation.

“I express my sympathy to all the injured, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and medical workers, and extend heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the rescue operations,” she wrote on X. | BGNES