A strong explosion destroyed a multi-storey building on Via Vitellia in the Monteverde district of Rome, the Corriere della Sera newspaper and the Italian news agency ANSA reported, quoted by BTA.
According to Corriere della Sera, the building had 3 floors, and according to ANSA - 2. The explosion occurred this morning shortly before 09:00. According to eyewitness accounts, shortly before the collapse, a loud rumble was heard "like a bomb", and a strong smell of gas spread in the area.
Carabinieri, police and firefighters arrived at the scene of the incident. They pulled a woman from under the rubble. It is believed that no others are trapped.
An investigation is currently underway into the cause of the incident, which is believed to have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion. The entire area has been cordoned off by police.