Pompeii disabled transported by hand in the Villa dei misteri station: the viral video on social media

Pompeii: Disabled person in wheelchair carried by arms up the stairs of the Circumvesuviana station

A video that has gone viral on social media shows a disabled tourist being helped by fellow residents as he climbs the stairs at the Pompeii - Villa dei Misteri station on the Circumvesuviana train.

The footage shows the man, presumably an American, and his wheelchair emerging from the underpass leading from the tracks to the station premises. Four people are holding him up, while others are standing around ready to lend a hand. With difficulty, the man is brought to safety: the residents lift the wheelchair and grab the railing for support, while the tourist tries to move as little as possible.

The Pompeii - Villa dei Misteri station has a disability accessibility issue when the train stops on platform 2 (usually the train from Sorrento to Naples). This issue is due to the station's age, which was designed when removing architectural barriers was not a priority.

EAV, the company that operates the Circumvesuviana, has activated a call-out service that allows wheelchair users to be transported by specialized personnel on all lines. The service must be booked by phone three hours before travel and allows for pickup from a specific location.

However, this solution is not always practicable and is not suitable for those who do not know the service or do not have the possibility to book it well in advance. Furthermore, the Pompeii station - Villa dei Misteri also presents problems for travelers coming from Naples: to get off here, you must continue to Villa Regina, use the ski lifts, and then take a train to Sorrento, finally getting off at Pompei Scavi.

EAV states that structural improvements are planned to improve accessibility at many older stations. However, the current situation represents a disadvantage for disabled travelers and an obstacle to accessible tourism.

The problem of architectural barriers on the Circumvesuviana concerns several stations

The problem of architectural barriers on the Circumvesuviana affects several stations, including Barra, Ercolano, Piazza Garibaldi, and the Porta Nolana terminal. At these stations, people with disabilities often rely on the assistance of staff or passersby to overcome obstacles.

A concrete commitment from EAV is needed to remove architectural barriers and ensure easy mobility for all travellers, in line with current regulations and the principles of accessible tourism.