CASSANO JONIO – In the evening a fire hit one of the commercial activities in the small square of Marina di Sibari, the tourist district of Cassano. The flames invaded the interior of a historic bar located in the tourist center, causing extensive damage. The causes of the fire are still under investigation. Fortunately, the Fire Brigade of the Corigliano-Rossano detachment, assisted by colleagues from Castrovillari and Trebisacce, intervened promptly. The Carabinieri of the Cassano Company are also on site and will carry out the necessary investigations and checks.
Below we collect the reactions of the institutions.
The comment of the Mayor of Cassano Jonio, Giovanni Papasso: «I am outside Cassano for institutional commitments but I immediately became aware of yet another criminal act perpetrated last night in Marina di Sibari against another company that has been operating in the area for decades. While the municipal administration is working to restore the damage caused by the previous fire at the yogurt shop which also affected the porticoes of the square, another fire arrived yesterday. It seems clear that Marina di Sibari has come under attack and is under attack by criminals. I also strongly censure this latest very serious act and I add that what happened yesterday was truly barbaric because the owner of the place had only died a few hours ago. There wasn’t even time to celebrate the funeral in a dignified manner when someone had already seen fit to set fire to a family business. This is all shameful. I express feelings of closeness and unconditional solidarity to the Martucci family. The municipal administration and the whole city condemn with force and determination this latest criminal episode. We have faith in the police and the judiciary and we are certain that full light will be shed on what happened also to guarantee tranquility and safety to all those who have chosen and will choose our beautiful village of Marina di Sibari as their holiday destination. In closing I make an appeal: anyone who knows should collaborate with those responsible. There must be no reticence otherwise the criminal phenomenon will never be eradicated.”
Senator Ernesto Rapani (FdI): «Having learned the disturbing news of the fire in a well-known establishment in Marina di Sibari, I expressed firm condemnation for the cowardly attack and immediately called attention to the need to strengthen the police force in the area. Episodes like these highlight the need for immediate intervention to ensure the safety of citizens. I intend to ask for the activation of a consultation between the competent ministries, in particular the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence, in order to organize collaboration with the military forces to support local law enforcement. This synergy aims to fill the gaps currently present in the area in terms of human and material resources to combat crime. The presence of the armed forces could provide a further deterrent against the action of criminals, ensuring greater protection for the community. Such collaboration, if implemented, could represent an important step forward in the fight against organized crime and in restoring trust in public order. I will carry forward this proposal with determination and commitment, working in close collaboration with the competent authorities to translate this vision into concrete action. I invite the population to remain united and collaborate with the police to fight crime together and preserve the safety of the city.”
Alfredo Antoniozzi deputy group leader of the Brothers of Italy in the Chamber and member of the anti-mafia parliamentary commission: «I express solidarity with the owners of a factory in Cassano allo Jonio, victims of intimidation. The factory was the subject of fires which foreshadow an arson aspect. We cannot accept that there are areas where organized crime still has sovereignty. We trust that the Catanzaro anti-mafia district attorney can shed light on these facts. We take up the cry of the mayor of Cassano, Papasso, inviting all political and social forces to be united against a common enemy.”
