Naples – Rescue teams are searching through the rubble for a person reported missing by relatives or neighbors. It is not yet clear whether he was in the building at the time of the explosion. With the help of a bobcat, firefighters are clearing away debris in the street, while canine units are searching through the rubble.
The devastating explosion occurred around 19:00 PM in a building on Via Peppino De Filippo, in the heart of Naples. Initial hypotheses suggest a gas leak aggravated by the presence of cylinders stored in a warehouse on the ground floor.
The explosion , of unprecedented violence, tore off the five floors of the building, sending debris crashing into the building across the street. Residents described an earthquake: "Everything shook, then only dust and screams." Firefighters rushed to the scene immediately, extracting an injured woman who was rushed to the hospital.
The explosion appears to have started in the ground-floor room, where LPG cylinders that were likely substandard were stored. Italgas technicians and experts from the Prosecutor's Office are already working to reconstruct the events and determine any culprits.
Damage and fear among the inhabitants
In addition to the building that was hit, several neighboring homes reported structural damage. Some families were evacuated as a precaution. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi assured support to the evacuees and announced widespread checks on gas installations in the area.
The situation is very serious and worrying. The damage is so much and the families need urgent help. We hope that the authorities can find the missing person as soon as possible. It is an unacceptable situation.