Trigno River Bridge Collapse Leads to Rescue Appeals and Plans in Italy

On 2 April 2024 a bridge over the Trigno River in the Abruzzo‑Molise border collapsed, leaving driver Domenico Racanati missing. Four months later the family still has no word on his whereabouts and has repeatedly asked authorities for a clear timetable for the drag‑removal operations needed to resume the search. “Dateci risposte e tempi certi” (Give us answers and certain times) the relatives wrote, urging transparency on technical, bureaucratic or authorisation obstacles.

The Meloni government activated emergency measures, appointing a commissioner and allocating resources for reconstruction. ANAS has begun design work and is in dialogue with the Abruzzo and Molise regional governments to restore the S.S. 16 link, while the site remains under judicial seizure and subject to environmental and landscape protections. The prolonged road closure has disrupted local commerce and tourism in both regions, prompting calls for alternative routes and swift rebuilding.

The family also highlighted that two of the three contracted firms have completed site inspections, but the third inspection is still pending, delaying the next phase of rescue efforts.