Pomigliano under siege, a riot breaks out: "Bombs like war, the city in the crosshairs"

Pomigliano – A boom like that of a war bomb shattered the night between Wednesday and Thursday, startling the entire neighborhood. At 3:30 a.m., a high-explosive bomb detonated at the BNL branch between Via Passariello and Via Semola. By pure chance, there were no casualties in a densely populated area.

According to initial reports from the Carabinieri, who responded immediately to the scene, unknown assailants smashed the bank's window, broke inside, and planted explosives to blow up the ATMs. The explosion was devastating: the front of the bank was completely destroyed, with severe structural damage to the building. However, the attackers failed in their attempt, leaving the ATMs in place.

Prefect convenes emergency meeting

The seriousness of the incident prompted the Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, to urgently convene the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Safety. The extraordinary meeting was held today at 1:00 PM at the Town Hall of Pomigliano d'Arco. The Prefect contacted Mayor Raffaele Russo by telephone this morning, announcing the meeting to evaluate measures to strengthen prevention and control activities in the area.

The mayor expressed his gratitude for the committee's prompt response, emphasizing that it represents "a concrete response to the concerns expressed by citizens following this serious incident."

Uncontrolled escalation

The attack is part of a spiral of out-of-control attacks on banks and post offices across the province of Naples. In Pomigliano, just a few weeks ago, an already operational underground tunnel was discovered near a bank. The same BNL branch had been targeted in the past. A genuine public order emergency is affecting the Metropolitan City.

AVS protests: "Like in a country at war"

At the site of the explosion, the Pomigliano d'Arco Green-Side Alliance group organized a protest against the bombings and crime, with the participation of numerous residents. Those present included MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli, AVS territorial representative Carmine D'Onofrio, Rosario Pugliese of the Europa Verde regional executive, and Alessandro Cannavacciuolo.

"A highly explosive TNT bomb was used here, capable of causing a massacre for the sake of stealing just €2.500," Borrelli said. "We must protest the bombs as if we were in a country at war. And we do so also against a municipal administration that continues to deny or downplay the problem."

Accusations against the mayor: "Total disinterest"

Activists are targeting the mayor's administrative decisions and attitude. "The mayor of Pomigliano, who in the past claimed that 'the Camorra doesn't exist here,' now appears totally disinterested in safety and legality," Borrelli continued. "They fired a Municipal Police commander who was a bulwark against crime, and replaced seven others in just a few years. A disaster. The mayor also downplayed this episode, only to then accept the meeting convened by the Prefect, whom we thank for his diligence."

D'Onofrio also delivered a harsh statement: "We are facing an unprecedented escalation of violence. The bank attack represents the culmination of a criminal spiral that is suffocating Pomigliano."

"Pomigliano is sinking, and to stop this, we all have to show our support. Starting with those who govern the city," the protesters concluded. Meanwhile, residents are demanding one simple, fundamental thing: to live in a safe area.