ROME - A powerful jet of water over 10 metres high has sprung into existence in the middle of a street in the Monteverde district of Rome, probably due to the exploding of a pipe.

The jet has ripped open a chasm in the street that has swallowed at least one of the parked cars. The water has surged its way into the upper floors of a nearby building, flooding several apartments. The affected stretch of road has been closed to traffic.

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