Chronicle

Dangerous traditions

A bonfire explodes in Taranto, a traditional custom for St. Joseph, also injured some children

Illegal burning on the street organized for San Giuseppe in via Grazia Deledda, on the outskirts of the Tamburi district

19/03/2023

A strong explosion occurred during the lighting of a bonfire illegally organized on the street on the occasion of St. Joseph's Day in via Grazia Deledda, in the Tamburi district of Taranto. Several people, including some minors, were injured. Three were transported with 118 ambulances to the Santissima Annunziata hospital, one in red code and two in yellow code. Among these a little girl who, according to ASL sources, was medicated with some stitches. The explosion would have been a can of gasoline left too close to the flames.

At least five other people besides the child later presented themselves to the hospital to be medicated. At the emergency room there were moments of tension also due to the presence of relatives who crowded the access points. For this reason, the intervention of police patrols and carabinieri was necessary. Following the explosion, the stacked material, including wooden doors, was thrown tens of meters away, overwhelming some of those present. The bonfire had been organized for St. Joseph's Day, a habit that in recent days the Local Police with several interventions had somehow tried to discourage. Some videos are also circulating on social networks documenting the moment of the explosion, which may have been caused by a can of gasoline carelessly left among the stacked material. The screams of those who were injured can also be heard clearly. Law enforcement agencies are gathering information to shed full light on the incident and clarify responsibilities.