“We heard a roar and then a smell of dust. We didn’t really understand what had happened but we saw people running away and screaming in fear.” This is the testimony of a young man who yesterday evening (11 May) was near Piazza Campania, inside the Marcianise shopping centre, when the false ceiling collapsed.
“Together with some friends I was in the games room at the entrance to the cinema. Suddenly we heard a noise and a strong smell of dust. We went out and saw a cloud of dust that had invaded the whole of Piazza Campania, with many people they were running away and screaming in fear. So the ‘Campania’ staff invited us to come out.”
Fortunately, the collapse occurred when the shops were closed, therefore shortly after 10pm, and there were no injuries. This was also confirmed by the firefighters of the Marcianise detachment who promptly intervened on site shortly after the collapse of a portion of the false ceiling. The collapse occurred near the central square of the shopping centre, causing building material and various systems to fall to the ground. The alert was launched by security personnel who, having heard suspicious noises, had already cordoned off the area. Firefighters worked throughout the night to remove the dangerous rubble and make the area safe.
The causes of the collapse are yet to be ascertained.
