Violent No Tav protests erupt in Italy’s Val di Susa, injuring over 120 police

No Tav Val di Susa high‑speed rail police injuries €1 million damage

On 26 July 2026, more than 450 No Tav protesters entered the construction sites of the Turin‑Lyon high‑speed rail at Chiomonte and San Didero in the Val di Susa. They used homemade bombs, stones, incendiary devices and set fire to police and finance‑guard vehicles. Police responded with tear‑gas and water‑jet devices.

The clashes left over 120 law‑enforcement personnel injured – 58 police officers, 48 Carabinieri and about 20 members of the Guardia di Finanza – many of whom required hospital treatment. The A32 motorway between Oulx and Susa east was closed and train services on the Modane‑Turin line were delayed by up to two hours.

The railway concessionaire Telt estimates the damage to the Chiomonte site at roughly €1 million. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the violence “an attack on the State”, while Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the incident confirms an intent to escalate and urged a unified political response. President Sergio Mattarella phoned Piantedosi to express solidarity with the forces. The Lega party has called for the creation of a specific “terrorism of the square” offence.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Turin‑Lyon high‑speed rail line is scheduled for completion in 2033. (b62de412-a6ee-49b8-a47c-fd96d1f5b610)
[● 5 SOURCES] Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the confusion confirms an intention to escalate and called for a unified political response. (b62de412-a6ee-49b8-a47c-fd96d1f5b610)
[○ 1 SOURCE] More than 50 police officers were injured during the clashes. (b62de412-a6ee-49b8-a47c-fd96d1f5b610)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police responded with tear‑gas canisters and water jets. (b62de412-a6ee-49b8-a47c-fd96d1f5b610)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Hundreds of protesters attacked the Turin‑Lyon high‑speed railway construction site in Chiomonte, Piedmont, Italy on 26 July 2026. (b62de412-a6ee-49b8-a47c-fd96d1f5b610)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Protesters threw homemade bombs and stones at security forces. (b62de412-a6ee-49b8-a47c-fd96d1f5b610)
[● 5 SOURCES] Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, stating it attacks the state. (b62de412-a6ee-49b8-a47c-fd96d1f5b610)
[● 10 SOURCES] More than 120 law‑enforcement personnel were injured. (Police and news reports)
[● 3 SOURCES] Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “an attack on the State”. (source)
[● 10 SOURCES] Around 450 protesters were identified in the Val di Susa clashes. (Adnkronos reports and multiple news outlets)
[● 6 SOURCES] The A32 motorway between Oulx and Susa east was closed because of the clashes. (Transport authority statements)
[● 6 SOURCES] Train services on the Modane‑Turin line were disrupted with delays of up to two hours. (RFI service updates)