Accident on the Palermo-Catania route, involving the Comunità San Gregorio minibus

Catania – On the afternoon of Sunday, 21 April 2024, returning from the Youth Festival of the Salesian Youth Movement held in Palermo, a minibus of the Accommodation Community of San Gregorio of Catania had a bad accident on the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway towards Catania between the Catenanuova and Agira junctions. According to the initial investigations by the Traffic Police, the cause of the accident is linked to the sudden explosion of a tyre, the vehicle lost stability and skidded, going off the road. On board the minibus were an educator, two volunteers from the civil service, and six children who were guests of the community.

Rescue efforts began immediately, the nine occupants were transported to the hospitals in Catania, Enna and Caltanissetta. From the initial information gathered by the Superior of the Salesians, Don Giovanni D’Andrea, in agreement with the managers of the Accommodation Community, it is known that the occupants of the minibus suffered bruises and wounds treated with stitches. They remain under observation by the medical staff to have a better defined clinical picture.

“In addition to the great fear – explains Don Giovanni D’Andrea – and apprehension, it seems that the situation is under control. On behalf of the entire Salesian community of Sicily we thank the Traffic Police, the Fire Brigade and the healthcare personnel who provided assistance to our young people. We trust in the protection of Mary Help of Christians so that everything can return to normal. I invite you to pray for this.” From the information that reaches us from the hospitals, where the injured are hospitalized, no one is in danger, obviously we are carefully following the evolution of the situation.