Bus catches fire & explodes in Rome as horrified passengers look on (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)

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

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.

It’s the ninth bus explosion this year, following on from 20 last year. Italian media has blamed the succession of incidents on the city’s aging bus fleet and poor maintenance. The local transport authority Atac says it’s addressing the problem by increasing its repair work.

Buildings alongside the blazing bus were left heavily blackened by ash following Tuesday’s incident.

The scene of the bus fire, Rome, May 8, 2018. Alessandro Bianchi © Reuters

A firefight inspects the bus. May 8, 2018. Alessandro Bianchi © Reuters

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