interviews: Nina Vaclavikova
On Saturday, October 18, authorities in Trieste will carry out the delicate neutralization of an unexploded World War II bomb discovered at the city’s Porto Nuovo. The 500-pound (230-kilogram) American-made aerial bomb, containing roughly 120 kilograms of high explosives, was uncovered during railway expansion works near the Porto train station within the city’s port area.
The operation, coordinated by the Prefecture of Trieste, will involve bomb disposal experts from the Italian Army’s 3rd Engineer Regiment of Udine and divers from the Navy’s Underwater Operations Group (GOS). The device, equipped with both nose and tail fuses and found in good condition, will first be defused and then transported to a secure site for final detonation.
Authorities have announced an extensive safety plan to protect residents and workers in the area. All activities will begin early Saturday morning and continue until the ordnance is safely removed.
Evacuation and Safety Measures
An evacuation order will be in effect until 7:45 a.m. on Saturday for all residents within a 468-meter (about 1,535-foot) radius of the discovery site. The affected zone includes Piazza Carlo Alberto, Passeggio Sant’Andrea, and several surrounding streets, including Via Gessi, Matteucci, Tedeschi, Picciola, Hermet, Murat, and Tagliapietra.
Residents are instructed to leave their homes by 7:45 a.m. and will not be allowed to return until operations are complete. A temporary shelter will be available from 6:45 a.m. at the Bruno Bianchi swimming pool in Largo Irneri 1, where municipal staff and Civil Protection volunteers will provide assistance.
For special needs or information, citizens can contact the Civil Protection Office at 040 6757683 or via email at protezionecivile@comune.trieste.it until 6 p.m. on Friday, October 17.
Traffic and Access Restrictions
To ensure public safety, major road closures and traffic diversions will take effect starting at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Streets around Porto Nuovo, including Largo Chino Alessi, Via Gessi, Via Murat, Via Locchi, Via Schiapparelli, and Viale dei Campi Elisi, will see modified traffic flows or complete closure to both vehicles and pedestrians. Parking within the restricted area will also be prohibited, and vehicles left outdoors must be removed before operations begin.
The Trieste Local Police, along with the Fire Department, Italian Red Cross, and numerous volunteer organizations, will assist in securing the area and guiding residents.
