ROME — Fireworks set off without permission by a traffic policeman during a late-night rehearsal for ​Italy’s Republic Day parade startled dozens of horses, ‌sending them bolting through the capital and injuring several riders, police said.

The unexpected bangs shortly before 11:30 p.m. on ​Friday caused panic among the ceremonial horses, ​some of which had riders while others ⁠were being led by hand.

Around 35 horses fled ​onto the busy Via Cristoforo Colombo, where some drivers ​videoed them as they galloped down the road. The last horse was recovered at dawn around 9 miles from ​the scene.

Several riders were thrown. A 22-year-old soldier ​suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung but was not ‌in ⁠life-threatening condition. Around 15 horses were injured, but none was put down.

Mario De Sclavis, commander of Rome’s police force, told Sunday’s Corriere della Sera newspaper ​that the incident “discredits ​the image ⁠of the Corps and its officers”.

The fireworks were set off near the ancient ​Baths of Caracalla, where mounted units ​from ⁠the army, Carabinieri paramilitary force and police were rehearsing for the annual June 2 parade.

Officials have said a ⁠municipal ​policeman from the traffic emergency ​unit had lit a battery of fireworks about 200 yards from ​the horses.