Ercolano, explosion at the barrel factory: Pasquale Punzo sentenced to death

The appeal trial has begun in Naples for the explosion of the illegal fireworks factory in Ercolano, which occurred on November 18, 2024, and which caused the deaths of three young workers: Samuel Tafciu, 18, of Albanian origin, and the twins Aurora and Sara Esposito, both 26.

According to the findings, Pasquale Punzo, believed to be the de facto owner of the business, did not appeal and will serve 14 and a half years in prison, a benefit associated with the sentence reduction provided for by the Cartabia reform. The first-instance sentence was 17 years and 6 months.

The appeal hearing, marking a new phase in the proceedings, involves two defendants: Vincenzo D'Angelo, identified by investigators as Punzo's associate, and Raffaele Boccia, believed to be the supplier of the explosives. D'Angelo remains sentenced to 17 and a half years for voluntary manslaughter with eventual intent, while Boccia was sentenced to four years for possession of the explosives. Other civil parties—the Municipality of Ercolano, the CGIL Campania union, and the families of the three victims—have joined the proceedings.

The accident, which occurred in 2024, resulted in the deaths of three young workers. The three workers, paid illegally, were supposed to assemble the firecrackers produced by the factory: Tafciu earned €250 a month, the two women €150 each.

D'Angelo was identified as Punzo's associate, while Boccia is believed to have supplied the materials needed to assemble the fireworks. The plaintiffs have demanded justice and actively participated in the hearing, which is still ongoing in the Neapolitan court.