A 54-year-old Scottish tourist is in critical condition after a devastating gas explosion at his holiday accommodation in Rome, Italy, on Saturday morning. The explosion occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time on March 22, severely injuring Grant Paterson, who was staying in the apartment during his solo trip to the Italian capital.
Paterson, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, had arrived in Rome the previous week to enjoy a leisurely vacation, exploring the city’s historic sites. According to local authorities, the blast, which was heard by residents in the area, destroyed his apartment and caused significant damage to the surrounding buildings. Flames and smoke were visible from the site shortly after the explosion, which also affected other properties within the three-story structure on Via Vitellia in the Monteverde neighborhood.
The explosion left Paterson with severe burns covering 75% of his body. Emergency responders arrived at the scene within minutes of the blast and found Paterson conscious but trapped under debris. He was immediately rushed to Sant’Eugenio Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed on a life-support ventilator.
Paterson had shared his excitement for the trip on social media, posting a message upon his arrival in Rome. Describing his journey as “trains, planes, buses, and foot,” he expressed his optimism for the week ahead but added a darkly humorous note: “This should be a good week… if I don’t get killed in some ungodly way.”
The explosion remains under investigation, with authorities examining the cause of the gas leak that led to the blast. Paterson’s family and friends are anxiously awaiting updates on his condition.
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