by InTrieste
The city of Trieste will open a reception area at the Bruno Bianchi swimming complex on Saturday, October 18, as authorities prepare for the evacuation of hundreds of residents following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb near the port.
The facility, located in Largo Irneri, will open its doors at 6:45 a.m. to accommodate residents required to leave their homes during the bomb disposal operation. The measure is part of a coordinated safety plan led by the Prefecture of Trieste and the 3rd Engineer Regiment of the Italian Army, which specializes in explosive ordnance removal.
According to the municipal ordinance, all residents within a 468-meter radius of the bomb site must evacuate by 7:45 a.m. The security zone includes Piazza Carlo Alberto, Passeggio Sant’Andrea, and nearby streets such as Via Gessi, Matteucci, Tedeschi, Picciola, Hermet, Murat, and Tagliapietra.
Civil Protection teams from the city and region, assisted by local volunteers, will be on hand at the Bruno Bianchi complex to support evacuees throughout the morning. Residents with special needs have been asked to contact the Civil Protection Service by 6 p.m. on Friday, October 17, to arrange assistance.
All traffic and pedestrian movement will be suspended in the area starting at 6:30 a.m., and vehicles must be removed from open spaces to avoid potential damage. Commercial and industrial activities within the safety perimeter will also be temporarily halted until the bomb is defused.
City officials have been working with building administrators in the affected neighborhoods to post evacuation notices and ensure that all residents are informed.
“The reception area at the Bruno Bianchi pool is ready to welcome anyone who needs a safe space during the operation,” the municipality said in a statement. “The collaboration of residents is essential to ensuring everyone’s safety.”
The defusing process, which will be overseen by army specialists, is expected to take several hours. Once completed, authorities will announce when residents can safely return home.
Trieste, a port city that suffered heavy bombardment during World War II, still occasionally uncovers unexploded ordnance during port and construction work.
City officials are encouraging residents to follow updates through the Comune di Trieste website and local media throughout the day.
