A portion of the medieval walls of Volterra collapsed this morning, Sunday 5 May, in the San Felice area. Stones, soil and debris poured into the street. One person was slightly injured.
Municipal civil protection personnel, law enforcement, 118 and firefighters arrived on site: to avoid the involvement of other people, a dog unit was alerted. Witnesses heard a sudden roar.
The collapse was apparently due to a structural failure and the debris invaded provincial road 15, closed to traffic.
Mazzeo: “A hug to the people of Volterra”
Thus Antonio Mazzeo, president of the Regional Council: “I am following the situation carefully and would first of all like to thank the regional 112 Central, the health emergency system, the Fire Brigade and all the rescuers who promptly rushed to the scene. To Mayor Giacomo Santi and the entire Volterra community I send a big hug. Their city represents one of the jewels of our Tuscany and as the Region and the Institutions we will be at their side to make it return as soon as possible”.
Potenti: “Near tragedy”
“Tragedy almost occurred this morning in Volterra where part of the walls collapsed next to the Porta di San Felice on provincial road 15, usually very busy. For the city, what has happened is a tragedy and anticipates the need for checks on all walls. It is likely that the heavy rains are a contributing cause of the event. I hope that special resources can arrive for Volterra not only in light of what happened today, but also for the needs of the sensational discovery of the Roman amphitheater and the tourist influx that will occur. I’m going to the site of the collapse to inspect the damage. I will present a question on the situation in Volterra, reiterating my closeness to the community and my commitment to them in institutional settings”. Manfredi Potenti, senator of the League, declared this in a note.
Moschi: “We are in mourning”
“The community of Volterra is in mourning today, because for us the city walls are a part of ourselves. My solidarity and my thoughts go to all the people involved, and to the injured.”
“Now is not the time for controversy, the city must remain united to face an enormous inconvenience and a very serious problem. This is why we ask the President of the Giani Region and the Government to be close to us, with resources and not with words, to reconstruct the stretch as soon as possible. As a councilor I worked on the restoration of Via Lungo le Mura and I can say that in these moments perfect harmony between institutions is needed. I thank Senator Manfredi Potenti for promptly intervening today in Volterra”.
“In the most difficult moments and in emergencies it is precisely when the people of Volterra are capable of giving the best of themselves; I am sure that we will be able to emerge from this ordeal in the best possible way, but only if we all remain united.” So Paolo Moschi.
