Marano– It might be a near-miss, but for the twenty-six families of Via Roma in Marano, the nightmare has just begun. A roar, then dust and fear: the sudden collapse of a massive retaining wall hit a residential building, causing the partial collapse of the structure and forcing authorities to order the immediate evacuation of the entire building.
"You're alive by a miracle": the desperation of the displaced
Among the residents, still in shock, there are mixed feelings of terror and gratitude for a fate that, this time, was benevolent. The landslide literally destroyed a bedroom on the lower floor of the building and caused extensive structural damage. Fortunately, the affected rooms were empty at the time of the collapse, and no casualties or injuries were reported.
"I immediately went to church to thank the Lord that I'm miraculously alive, it's a true miracle," says one of the residents, her voice still shaking. The reality of displacement, however, is hard to accept: "I just want to wake up from this bad dream and go home, but I know that's not possible. Right now, everything is under seizure."
The rescue machine and the intervention of the Prefecture
The government's response was immediate. The Fire Department arrived at the scene of the disaster, coordinating the delicate evacuation operations, allowing residents to quickly recover essential supplies. The Carabinieri, Civil Protection volunteers, and municipal technicians also arrived to assist with initial stability assessments.
To manage the housing emergency, a collection point was initially set up at the church of San Castrese. Subsequently, the families were relocated to hotels in the province. "We are now staying in a hotel in Casoria with three other families," the displaced people confirm, now awaiting answers about their future.
The severity of the event has activated the highest levels of government. The Prefecture of Naples has convened an afternoon meeting to monitor the landslide's progress. "For the Marano area, where the event occurred, prompting the precautionary evacuation of 26 families, the CCS (Rescue Coordination Center) has ordered further technical assessments and constant surveillance by the police," according to an official statement from the Prefecture.
Long times for safety measures
While the immediate emergency has been managed, the long-term outlook appears complex. The terrain's conformation risks significantly slowing cleanup and safety operations.
Residents are not hiding their pessimism: "Unfortunately, months will pass because the situation is serious. It's difficult to get to work back there," some witnesses explain, pointing to the collapsed area. "The space is too narrow; excavators and other heavy machinery needed to clear the rubble and rebuild can't fit." For the 26 families of Via Roma, a return to normalcy still seems a long way off.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (2)
I hope those affected can find help and support, because it's difficult to deal with such a dire situation. Institutions must do more to ensure everyone's safety.
The situation is truly complicated, and I don't know how families will be able to return to normal life. The damage is immense, and the authorities will have to work hard to resolve all of this. It's a difficult time.