Carabinieri raise alarm over illegal firecrackers: "These are no longer fireworks, but improvised explosive devices."

In Naples, New Year's Eve is no longer just a celebration, but a battleground against life-threatening improvised explosive devices; the Carabinieri's warning, highlighting the destructive power of these "firecrackers," invites us to reflect on an emergency that cannot be underestimated.

In Naples, it's no longer just illegal fireworks. The Carabinieri's warning is clear and disturbing: those circulating ahead of New Year's Eve are actual improvised explosive devices, comparable to IEDs, capable of causing serious injuries or even death. The number of seizures made so far by the Carabinieri's bomb squad paints an increasingly dangerous picture.

"There's particular concern because the devices are increasingly powerful and dangerous, even at a distance," explains bomb disposal lieutenant Gaetano Savarese. "Today they're still called paper bombs, but the use of plastic containers increases their resistance and the force of the detonation. They can contain up to 300 grams of explosive mixture and are dangerous both due to shrapnel and the acoustic impact."

Intensified controls in the area have already led to significant seizures. In Pollena Trocchia, a 21-year-old was arrested after officers discovered 21 kilos of fireworks hidden inside a fruit and vegetable shop. In Cimitile, a business was suspended: the entrepreneur, despite having a license, had never submitted the notification of commencement of business to the municipality. 2.563 fireworks were seized from the business, for a total active mass of 205 kilos.

These numbers reinforce the alarm raised by the Carabinieri, just days after a night that every year turns into a bulletin of injuries. The Carabinieri's message is clear: these aren't pranks or traditions, but potentially lethal explosive devices that are turning New Year's Eve into a game of Russian roulette.