In the quiet town of Saviano, near Naples, Italy, a deadly building collapse on Sunday morning, September 22, 2024 claimed the lives of four family members, including two young children. The collapse of their two-story home shocked the small community, leaving residents in mourning and authorities scrambling to uncover the cause.
An explosion occurred early in the morning, around 7:00 a.m. The blast partially destroyed the building where the family lived. Rescue teams continued their efforts day and night, working in hazardous conditions. Firefighters’ spokesperson Luca Cari highlighted the risks due to the structure’s instability. Cari noted that they had to proceed cautiously and slowly to prevent additional collapses during the search.
A six-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister were among the first to be found under the rubble. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, the children were pronounced dead at the scene. Their mother was discovered several hours later, also dead, while the grandmother’s body was found after a lengthy search, concluding the grim task of recovering the victims.
The Italian fire service, Vigili del Fuoco, suspects a gas explosion caused the building collapse. Firefighters were able to rescue the father and a two-year-old child, handing them over to health workers on site. While the father remains in serious condition at a hospital in Naples, the two-year-old’s injuries are not life-threatening.
According to Italian media, an LPG cylinder ((liquefied petroleum gas) caused the explosion, collapsing the upper two floors of the building.
Mayor Vincenzo Simonelli arrived at the scene soon after the disaster and described the building as crumpling onto itself. He discussed the severity of the situation and explained that emergency teams worked relentlessly, using sniffer dogs and rescue equipment to search for those still trapped.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing. Images shared by the fire service showed drone footage capturing two large holes in the roof of the partially collapsed building.
The community has rallied around those affected, offering condolences and assistance to the family members left behind.