The first explosion set off a chain of blasts in Rome and was so loud and violent that it struck nearby buildings "like an earthquake."

According to Euronews, citing the Rome fire brigade, the blast occurred around 8:20 am (local time) during a refuelling operation and was reportedly triggered by a technical fault; the fire also

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.