Rome, 22 July (LaPresse) – Five people face trial over the LPG tanker explosion that took place on 4 July 2025 at the petrol station on Via dei Gordiani in Rome, a tragedy that claimed the life of Claudio Ercoli, a 67-year-old employee and site inspector, and caused extensive damage to buildings in the area, as well as leaving numerous people injured. The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office has in fact concluded its investigation into the five suspects, charging them, on various counts, with the offences of causing a disaster through negligence, manslaughter and causing bodily harm. Those under investigation include Mauro B., the tanker driver; Laura P., the station manager; Fabio F., the holder of the supply contract; Cristiano M., the station inspector; and Giovanni Pietroboni, the manager of EcoGasauto. With the investigation now closed, the suspects may submit defence statements or request to be questioned before any application for committal for trial is made. The investigation was coordinated by Deputy Public Prosecutor Giovanni Conso and carried out by the judicial police section of the Local Health Authority (ASL), the Mobile Squad and the forensic police of Rome Police Headquarters, the fire brigade and the Tor Pignattara police station, with the support of the technical report prepared by technicians from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. According to the findings of the expert report commissioned by the public prosecutor’s office, the explosion was caused by the detachment of the tanker’s dispensing nozzle, which had remained attached to the petrol station’s tank after refuelling. The tanker, having set off with the nozzle still inserted, is believed to have torn the connection, causing the LPG to leak and triggering the subsequent devastating fire that culminated in the explosion.
Rome explosion: public prosecutor’s office closes investigation; five people face trial
Rome, 22 July (LaPresse) – Five people face trial over the LPG tanker explosion that took place on 4 July 2025 at the petrol station on Via dei Gordiani in Rome, a tragedy that claimed the life of Claudio Ercoli, a 67-year-old employee and site inspector, and caused extensive damage to buildings in the area, as well as leaving numerous people injured. The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office has in fact concluded its investigation into the five suspects, charging them, on various counts, with the offences of causing a disaster through negligence, manslaughter and causing bodily harm. Those under investigation include Mauro B., the tanker driver; Laura P., the station manager; Fabio F., the holder of the supply contract; Cristiano M., the station inspector; and Giovanni Pietroboni, the manager of EcoGasauto. With the investigation now closed, the suspects may submit defence statements or request to be questioned before any application for committal for trial is made. The investigation was coordinated by Deputy Public Prosecutor Giovanni Conso and carried out by the judicial police section of the Local Health Authority (ASL), the Mobile Squad and the forensic police of Rome Police Headquarters, the fire brigade and the Tor Pignattara police station, with the support of the technical report prepared by technicians from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. According to the findings of the expert report commissioned by the public prosecutor’s office, the explosion was caused by the detachment of the tanker’s dispensing nozzle, which had remained attached to the petrol station’s tank after refuelling. The tanker, having set off with the nozzle still inserted, is believed to have torn the connection, causing the LPG to leak and triggering the subsequent devastating fire that culminated in the explosion.
