Fireworks reportedly trigger mass horse stampede through Rome streets, injuring several soldiers

Fireworks acceptable disconnected without authorization successful Rome reportedly triggered a wide stampede of frightened horses during a late-night rehearsal for Italy’s yearly Republic Day parade, injuring aggregate riders and animals.

The incidental occurred precocious Friday adjacent the past Baths of Caracalla arsenic mounted units from Italy's equipped forces and instrumentality enforcement agencies were practicing for the June 2 nationalist celebration, Reuters reported.

Roughly 35 horses bolted done metropolis streets pursuing the unexpected fireworks, the outlet said. Video captured the chaotic scene, showing galore horses galloping on Via Cristoforo Colombo arsenic drivers recorded the scene.

The hunt and betterment effort reportedly continued until dawn the adjacent day, with the past equine recovered astir 9 miles from the scene.

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A runaway equine bolts down a roadworthy during a late-night ceremonial rehearsal successful Rome astir May 29, 2026. (Lucio Virzi Fotografo/REUTERS)

According to Reuters, the abrupt bangs began soon earlier 11:30 p.m. and triggered panic among the ceremonial horses, galore of which were being escorted by Italy’s Army, Carabinieri paramilitary police, and authorities police.

Some riders were mounted, portion others were starring horses by manus erstwhile the startled animals broke free, the outlet said.

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During the chaos, a 22-year-old worker reportedly suffered breached ribs and a punctured lung, though officials said his injuries were not life-threatening. At slightest 15 horses were besides injured, though nary required euthanasia, according to reports.

Italian outlet ANSA said the stampede injured 3 young soldiers from the Montebello Lancers and a 29-year-old policewoman.

Police and exigency crews presumption adjacent a roadworthy arsenic panicked horses fly down a Rome roadworthy connected May 29, 2026. (Lucio Virzi Fotografo/via REUTERS)

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Officials are reviewing however the unauthorized fireworks were ignited adjacent the rehearsal site.

The Rome Local Police Command said 4 postulation constabulary officers were progressive successful the incidental and were reportedly adjacent the firecrackers erstwhile the detonation occurred, ANSA said.

Officials said 1 of the officers allegedly lit a artillery of fireworks astir 200 yards from the horses, the outlet reported. The serviceman was identified arsenic a 50-year-old who joined the unit aft passing the astir caller exam.

Video footage and witnesser statements suggest the explosions and the horses’ flight occurred simultaneously, according to the section report.

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The Italian Air Force acrobatic squad "Frecce Tricolori" seen during Italy's yearly Republic Day connected June 2, 2025. (Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Rome constabulary commandant Mario De Sclavis told Corriere della Sera that the incidental "discredits the representation of the Corps and its officers," according to Reuters.

Sclavis added that the bureau volition instrumentality "necessary measures" to clasp those liable accountable, according to ANSA.

"Last night's events deed america similar a tsunami," helium said.