Ravanusa explosion, “more buildings razed to the ground, dramatic scenery”

“The scene that presented itself to the rescuers was that of a post-earthquake. An earthquake of the highest degree of the Mercalli scale that left no way out. An underground explosion swallowed seven buildings, which were completely razed to the ground”. This was told to Adnkronos by Colonel Vittorio Stingo, provincial commander of the Carabinieri of Agrigento, who last night was among the first in Ravanusa, where a gas leak caused an explosion that gutted an entire city district. Two survivors so far (two elderly sisters), four confirmed victims. Among those who are missing there are no children, as instead hypothesized at first. Read also “The rescue machine was activated immediately”, he continues. On site the firefighters, the carabinieri with reinforcements arrived from Licata and the volunteers of the Civil Protection and the Red Cross. “The scenario that presented itself before our eyes was dramatic – explains Colonel Stingo -. Beyond the extremely violent explosion, a vast fire had developed that was difficult to tame because of the methane that continued to escape. Thanks to the equipment supplied to the firefighters, it was possible to intervene immediately and extract the first living person. This immense joy, however, was immediately thwarted by the extraction of the first lifeless bodies “. In the early stages the searches were facilitated by the rumors . “We could hear them coming from under the rubble. Once the gas was shut off, it was possible to dig stone by stone and save the first survivors.” Molecular dogs are also on site, whose intervention is made difficult by the “acrid and strong smell of gas and burning that is felt throughout the area”. A vast area, the one affected by the explosion and collapses, in the center. “Not all the apartments were inhabited at that time – continues the provincial commander of the carabinieri of Agrigento – and someone could be inside a ‘cell’ that protected him. The hope of finding someone still alive does not abandon us. Let’s not give up. to dig “. On the spot there are about a hundred firefighters engaged with over 30 vehicles and the same number of carabinieri arrived from all over Sicily. (by Rossana Lo Castro)