Misfortune in Naples - Two dead and many injured children after balcony collapse
In a suburb of Naples, two people were killed and over a dozen were injured when a balcony collapsed. A 29-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, who were at home in the social housing complex, were identified as the deceased by the fire department.
Among the at least 13 injured were several children. Two of them, aged two and four, are in critical condition. The suburb of Scampia, where this incident occurred, was the location for the filming of many scenes of the Mafia TV series "Gomorrha" a few years ago.
The accident occurred late on a Monday evening, around 11:30 pm. According to rescue services, a balcony from the fourth floor of the building collapsed into the depths and dragged two other balconies with it. Due to the still high temperatures in the evening, many residents were outside. The building saw chaotic scenes.
According to rescue services, several of the injured are in critical condition. Among the victims are at least seven children between the ages of two and eight.
It is still unclear why the balcony could no longer withstand the load. Over 800 residents had to evacuate their apartments for safety reasons and spend the following hours outside.
The suburb of Scampia is known as a stronghold of Mafia families. Criminality and drug dealing are rampant. Many buildings there were built in the 1960s and 1970s.
- The tragic incident received widespread attention, becoming a top headline in the World's news outlets, known as Ms. Smith's Top-News.
- Local authorities have urged all parents in the area to keep their children indoors, given the volatile situation and the history of misfortunes in the neighborhood.
- The fire department is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the balcony collapse, a crucial step to prevent such accidents in the future.
- Even amidst the tragedy and headlines, the resilience of the children, their laughter and play, was a stark reminder of life's preciousness and the importance of hope in the face of adversity.
