First a great roar, then the collapse of a characteristic section of the medieval walls, with the stones rolling to the ground and ending up on the provincial road after injuring a passer-by: so much fear in Volterra (Pisa), where the firefighters are still working to clear the street of debris and make the area safe.
The events occurred this morning, Sunday 5 May, around 12.30 pm. The collapse occurred at Via della Petraia, in one of the most characteristic and evocative points, namely that of the Gate and the Source of San Felice, from which the numerous visitors to Volterra can admire the splendid panorama of the area surrounding the ancient Tuscan city from above. The stones ended up on Viale Lorenzini, thus also invading the roadway of Provincial Road 15.
A citizen who was walking near the site of the collapse was hit by the stones and remained wound, fortunately only in a non-serious way: according to what is reported on the site Leather Live, the man reported a slight trauma to his ankle. For this reason, some 118 ambulances arrived on the site and the Pegaso air ambulance of the Tuscany Region was also activated, out of fear that the consequences of the collapse could be even more serious for the population.
Apparently there were no other injuries, even if the police forces who rushed to Via della Pietraia, in order to leave no stone unturned, still had a team examine the entire area.dog unit. The firefighters from the Pisa command also promptly intervened on site and immediately got to work to clear the streets of debris and make the entire area safe. Unfortunately, new collapses cannot be ruled out.
Apart from the great fear, among the citizens there remains a feeling of discouragement for the fear of losing one of the most characteristic features of their wonderful ancient city, as well as concern for the general state of health of the city walls. “It’s a blow to the heart”a resident told the newspaper The nation immediately after the episode.
The governor of Tuscany spread the news Eugenio Giani. “Certainly a minor injury at the moment but further checks are underway with the Fire Brigade, we have also activated our Pegaso of the Tuscany Region already on site. I thank the Regional 112 Central, the health emergency system, the Fire Brigade and all the rescuers for prompt intervention”wrote the President of the Region on social media.
The last collapse before today dates back to March 2014, when a stretch of Via Lungo le Mura gave way: months of intervention were necessary for complete restoration.
