NNaples – Another serious incident has occurred on the Circumvesuviana line, one of Europe's most criticized railway lines for its age, inefficiency, and danger. Late this morning, a train departing from Naples and bound for Sorrento caught fire near the Villa Regina station in the Boscoreale area.
Two carriages were affected by a fire caused, according to initial reconstructions, by a short circuit in the power line.
There were approximately 1129 passengers on board the train—train 200. The provisional death toll is around fifteen, all suffering minor injuries from bruises or mild intoxication during the frantic evacuation.
The fire broke out around 13:20 PM, causing panic and disruption. Firefighters responded immediately, extinguishing the flames and securing the area.
Rail traffic is currently disrupted between Torre Annunziata and Pioppaino. The Torre Annunziata Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation and ordered the seizure of the affected train. EAV, the line operator, has also established an internal commission to determine the causes and responsibilities.
Today's accident adds to a long and dramatic series of episodes that confirm the structural and managerial fragility of the Circumvesuviana.
+In the last year alone, there have been derailments, technical failures, sudden interruptions of service, and acts of vandalism, not to mention the constant reports of commuters exasperated by overcrowding, lack of air conditioning, delays, and cancelled services.
Among the most serious incidents in recent years were the train derailment in San Giorgio a Cremano in 2020, in which several passengers were injured, and the 2022 incident in which a train carrying hundreds of students was stranded for hours without electricity or air conditioning. The following year, a carriage caught fire shortly after departing Naples, again due to an electrical fault.
Each time we talk about “isolated events,” but the frequency and severity of the accidents tell a very different story.
Meanwhile, thousands of passengers continue to use a crucial rail line every day, connecting Naples to the main Vesuvian destinations, both tourist and otherwise. But with its aging carriages, poor maintenance, and precarious safety, the Circumvesuviana increasingly resembles a ticking time bomb. And the hope for a definitive turnaround remains, once again, postponed.
Video excerpt by Salvatore de Stefano, published on the Facebook page: Circumvesuviana. A Guide to Suppressions and Unsolved Mysteries
Article published by Rosaria Federico on July 21, 2025, at 18:54 PM
Comments (1)
This is truly a terrible incident on the train, and I feel sorry for the passengers. The Circumvesuviana has been experiencing serious problems for some time, and every time there's talk of improvements, nothing changes. Let's hope the authorities take serious action.