Bomb damages cars in downtown Rome

A bomb blast early this morning damaged parked cars and shattered windows near the Interior Ministry in downtown Rome. No one was injured.

Investigators believe the bomb was planted on a moped around the corner from the ministry, the headquarters of Italy's national police and security services, the Interior Ministry said.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the bombing, which occurred around 4:30 am local time.

The building hosting the ministry was not damaged, but the blast shattered windows of nearby shops and houses. Trash bins, mopeds and cars parked on the street were also damaged, Interior Ministry officials said.

The area was cordoned off as firefighters worked to remove the shattered glass.

Col. Gianfranco Cavallo of the Carabinieri paramilitary police said the bomb appeared to be an "act of show" rather than an attack planned to make victims.

Interior Minister Claudio Scajola called the attack "a very serious act carried out against the symbol of the state's security."