Tragedy narrowly avoided in Castellammare, landslide hits restaurant in Pozzano

Tragedy struck this morning in Castellammare di Stabia along the Sorrento state road due to a landslide that struck the Capri Blu restaurant in Pozzano, across from the La Palombara public beach. This is the result of the violent storm that struck this morning between the Castellammare di Stabia area and the Sorrento Peninsula, causing flooding, mudslides, and debris, and severe traffic disruptions.

The heavy downpour caused a landslide, and rocks, debris, and trees invaded the restaurant's parking lot and the entire terrace. Fortunately, no one was in the building yet, so no one was injured.

Among the most affected areas is Castellammare di Stabia, where along the Strada Statale 145 "Sorrentina" highway, in the Panoramica area, heavy water swept material from the adjacent hills onto the roadway. The debris made traffic difficult.

This isn't the first time that landslides and rockfalls have occurred in that area: years ago, a retirement home was hit by a landslide right where the restaurant is now located. In that same area, just a few meters away, work has been underway for two years to consolidate the slope following damage caused by the bursting of a Gori pipeline. The work is still ongoing, even though the road has been reopened, but the panoramic terrace overlooking the road remains closed.

The Santa Maria di Pozzano Gallery is closed.

Heavy rainfall also caused problems inside the Santa Maria di Pozzano tunnel, along the stretch of state road 145 between Vico Equense and Castellammare di Stabia.

The tunnel was closed to traffic due to water accumulating on the roadway and the presence of muddy material and debris.

Anas announced the measure, explaining that the decision was made necessary "following adverse weather conditions" that caused mud and debris to slide from the slopes near the road.

Disruptions also in Pozzano

The difficulties aren't limited to the tunnel. Traffic disruptions have also been reported along the former "Sorrentina" state road, near Pozzano, where heavy rainfall has caused further water accumulation and traffic disruptions.

Anas staff and law enforcement are on site, busy managing traffic, checking road conditions, and carrying out the necessary operations to restore traffic.

At the moment, anyone coming to or heading to the Sorrento peninsula must travel along the small road in front of the Maricorderia.

The situation remains dependent on evolving weather conditions and the work of clearing mud and debris from the roadway.