by InTrieste
Authorities in Trieste are preparing for the controlled defusing and detonation of a World War II–era bomb discovered near the city’s Porto Railway Station, within the port area, on September 18, 2025. The operation, coordinated by the Prefecture of Trieste, will take place on October 18, 2025, and will involve a large-scale safety and evacuation plan.
The 500-pound aerial bomb — identified as a U.S.-made AN-M64A1 general-purpose model containing 119.75 kilograms of TNT — was found armed with two fuzes during construction work. Following the discovery, two coordination meetings were held at the Prefecture, on September 26 and October 8, bringing together representatives from local and national authorities, the military, police, and emergency services to finalize the logistics of the complex operation.
On the morning of October 18, the disarming process is set to begin at 8 a.m. During the procedure, a safety perimeter with a radius of 468 meters will be completely evacuated. Around 1,000 residents will be required to leave their homes by 7 a.m., and reentry will not be permitted until the bomb has been safely disarmed. Road, rail, and air traffic within the designated area will also be suspended for the duration of the operation.
Once the bomb’s fuzes have been safely removed, the now-neutralized ordnance will be transported to the waterfront and handed over to the Navy’s COMSUBIN – Nucleo SDAI (Underwater Demolition Unit). From there, it will be towed by vessels from the Trieste Coast Guard to an offshore site for a controlled detonation.
The Trieste Police Headquarters will coordinate security operations with the assistance of the State Police, Local Police, and the Coast Guard. Their responsibilities will include maintaining the evacuation perimeter, overseeing traffic management, safeguarding temporarily unattended property, and ensuring public safety throughout the day.
The Municipality of Trieste has launched a detailed public information campaign to inform residents about the evacuation procedures and safety measures.
A Rescue Coordination Center (Centro di Coordinamento dei Soccorsi) will be convened at the Prefecture on October 18 to oversee all activities related to public safety, bomb disposal, and transport operations.
Officials emphasized that the goal is to ensure maximum safety for residents while eliminating a dangerous remnant of Trieste’s wartime past.
