One dead and 46 injured in devastating explosion at petrol station in Romania

26 August 2023 , 21:18

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One dead and 46 injured in devastating explosion at petrol station in Romania

At least one person has been killed and dozens more injured in a massive explosion at a petrol station in Romania.

A second explosion at the station injured at least 26 firefighters, according to emergency officials at the scene. Workers had attempted to put down the massive fire before it exploded and quickly spread to two more thanks and a nearby house.

The disaster happened at a fuelling station providing liquefied petroleum gas, a fuel used in household appliances and as a gasoline and diesel alternative in some vehicles. Romania's health minister, Alexandru Rafila, confirmed one person died and several burn victims had been transported to hospitals in Bucharest for treatment.

At least one person has been killed in the initial blast (Twitter/StirileTVR)

Shock video online showed the moment the first tank exploded after being alight. Several people were seen running from the area as a large crowd reached into the sky.

One concerned resident added: "My friend in Crevedia, Romania has just informed me of a massive explosion nearby him, he is ok but I hope everyone is too. Very sad news coming out of Romania tonight."

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The flames spread from the station to a nearby house (Twitter/StirileTVR)

One person who lived nearby wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Big explosion near my hometown. Pray for Romania." Another added: "Insane explosion as LPG station explodes near Bucharest in Romania."

Romanian directorate for emergency situations, Raed Arafat, confirmed residents nearby had been evacuated from around 750 meters around the station. However, they added one tank was still at risk of exploding. The accident happened at in the Romanian town of Crevedia, near the capital Bucharest on Saturday.

Police were moved people back away from the scene (Twitter/StirileTVR)

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu told reporters after an emergency meeting with the state agencies involved in handling the crisis: "We think four of the patients will more than certainly be transferred tonight to hospitals in Italy and Belgium."

People were seen running from the scene of the disaster (Twitter/StirileTVR)

Of the 46 injured, eight were intubated after suffering severe burns, the government said. Another tank at the site is feared to be next to explode, should the disaster continue. It is unclear what caused the initial explosion.

Antony Clements-Thrower