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Fireworks set off with out authorization in Rome reportedly triggered a mass stampede of frightened horses throughout a late-night rehearsal for Italy’s annual Republic Day parade, injuring a number of riders and animals.
The incident occurred late Friday close to the traditional Baths of Caracalla as mounted items from Italy’s armed forces and regulation enforcement businesses had been working towards for the June 2 nationwide celebration, Reuters reported.
Roughly 35 horses bolted by means of metropolis streets following the sudden fireworks, the outlet mentioned. Video captured the chaotic scene, displaying quite a few horses galloping alongside By way of Cristoforo Colombo as drivers recorded the scene.
The search and restoration effort reportedly continued till daybreak the following day, with the final horse recovered roughly 9 miles from the scene.
A runaway horse bolts down a street throughout a late-night ceremonial rehearsal in Rome round Could 29, 2026. (Lucio Virzi Fotografo/REUTERS)
Based on Reuters, the sudden bangs started shortly earlier than 11:30 p.m. and triggered panic among the many ceremonial horses, a lot of which had been being escorted by Italy’s Army, Carabinieri paramilitary police, and state police.
Some riders had been mounted, whereas others had been main horses by hand when the startled animals broke free, the outlet mentioned.
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Throughout the chaos, a 22-year-old soldier reportedly suffered damaged ribs and a punctured lung, although officers mentioned his accidents weren’t life-threatening. At the least 15 horses had been additionally injured, although none required euthanasia, in keeping with studies.
Italian outlet ANSA said the stampede injured three younger troopers from the Montebello Lancers and a 29-year-old policewoman.
Police and emergency crews station close to a street as panicked horses flee down a Rome street on Could 29, 2026. (Lucio Virzi Fotografo/through REUTERS)
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Officers are reviewing how the unauthorized fireworks were ignited close to the rehearsal web site.
The Rome Native Police Command mentioned 4 site visitors police officers had been concerned within the incident and had been reportedly close to the firecrackers when the explosion occurred, ANSA mentioned.
Officers mentioned one of many officers allegedly lit a battery of fireworks about 200 yards from the horses, the outlet reported. The officer was recognized as a 50-year-old who joined the drive after passing the latest examination.
Video footage and witness statements counsel the explosions and the horses’ escape occurred concurrently, in keeping with the native report.
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The Italian Air Pressure acrobatic staff “Frecce Tricolori” seen throughout Italy’s annual Republic Day on June 2, 2025. (Stefano Costantino/SOPA Photographs/LightRocket through Getty Photographs)
Rome police commander Mario De Sclavis advised Corriere della Sera that the incident “discredits the picture of the Corps and its officers,” in keeping with Reuters.
Sclavis added that the company will take “obligatory measures” to carry these accountable accountable, in keeping with ANSA.
“Final evening’s occasions hit us like a tsunami,” he mentioned.
