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Bus Catches Fire, Explodes In The Heart Of Rome

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Bus Catches Fire In Rome And Explodes

Bus Catches Fire In Rome And Explodes

Bus Catches Fire In Rome And Explodes

A passenger bus burst into flames in the heart of Rome earlier today. It’s reported to be the ninth bus explosion this year and Italian media is pointing the finger at the local transport authority.

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Naija News learnt that the bus came to a halt near the Trevi fountain as flames engulfed the vehicle. It was quickly evacuated before the engine exploded and no-one was injured in the blaze. The fire sent a thick plume of black smoke high into the air above the popular tourist haunt.

È esploso un autobus ?????

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Local transport authority Atac also said the driver and passengers all managed to evacuate the bus, which came to a halt near the popular Trevi Fountain, before the flames took hold.

No-one was injured and there was no suggestion of foul play. In 2017, some 20 Rome buses were destroyed or damaged by fires.

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Italian media have blamed the succession of blazes on Rome’s ageing bus fleet and on poor maintenance.

Atac, which is struggling under a mountain of debts, says it has upped its repair work and is tackling the problem.

A former head of Atac said in 2017 the company was suffocating under some 1.3 billion euros ($1.54 billion) of debts and should declare bankruptcy.

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According to an internal Atac report, 36 per cent of all the company’s buses are in garages because they have broken down or are undergoing maintenance, with the figure rising to 50 per cent for the city’s creaking fleet of trams.