The death toll from the balcony collapse in one of the Scampia Vele, Naples, continues to rise. Patrizia Della Ragione, aged 53, passed away at Cardarelli hospital.
Patrizia Della Ragione was admitted with severe injuries, including a ruptured spleen and a fractured pelvis. She was the mother of Roberto Abbruzzo, 29, who was the first victim of the collapse, and the aunt of Margherita Della Ragione, 35, who also died in the hospital.
Her other two children, Giuseppe and Luisa Abbruzzo, aged 34 and 23, are currently hospitalised at Ospedale del Mare. Giuseppe remains in a serious condition. This morning, the Senate Chamber observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims. Naples prefect Michele Di Bari, upon learning of the third death, called it “an immense tragedy.”
Patrizia was also the grandmother of four of the seven girls injured in the collapse. The most critically injured are aged 4 and 7, both of whom are in intensive care with serious but stable conditions.
Structural risks at Scampia Vela flagged in 2016
A 2016 document had already flagged the structural risks of the Vela in the ‘Restart Scampia’ project, highlighting “detachments of the walkways, posing serious danger for residents.” The report mentioned “a network of steel and reinforced concrete walkways… in a state of degradation due to severe corrosion from poor maintenance over the years.”
Today, the Naples Public Prosecutor’s Office conducted a new inspection of the site. Deputy prosecutor Manuela Persico, alongside magistrate Mario Canale, is leading the investigation. The collapse area is currently under sequestration by the fire brigade. The investigation is complex, with consultants set to review the documentation gathered so far. There are concerns about a lack of maintenance or even unauthorised construction work by residents, potentially leading to building violations. Some passages may have been created to facilitate drug dealing activities in the past.
The primary criminal charges under investigation are negligent collapse and manslaughter, with additional charges for injuries possible. Deputy prosecutor Sergio Amato is coordinating the investigation, which also includes checking for illegal tenants in the homes.
Renovation work had already begun on the Vela as part of the “Scampia Restart” project, and evacuees reported constant vibrations for several months. This aspect will also be scrutinised by the Prosecutor’s Office consultants.