Scottish Tourist Severely Injured in Rome Explosion

Grant Paterson, a 54-year-old Scottish tourist, is in critical condition after a gas explosion destroyed his holiday accommodation in Rome's Monteverde area. The blast, which occurred around 8:30 a.m. on March 22, left Paterson with severe burns covering 70-75% of his body. Firefighters heard his cries and spent nearly an hour rescuing him from the rubble before he was transported to Sant’Eugenio Hospital. Prior to the explosion, Paterson posted an ominous message on Facebook about his trip, expressing a mix of excitement and foreboding. The Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, has initiated a full investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, suspected to be due to a gas leak or cylinder failure. The incident has raised safety concerns, leading to the evacuation of nearby buildings and an exclusion zone around the site.