Vandalism damages Lattughelle pumping station in Cassano All'Ionio, Italy

In the night of 6 July 2026, unknown perpetrators damaged the electric and mechanical equipment of the Lattughelle pumping station in the municipality of Cassano All'Ionio. The facility had only recently been restored after severe flooding in February, making the sabotage a serious setback for the local water‑management system.

The municipal administration condemned the act as a “clearly malicious” offense, warning that the damage threatens the agricultural sector and the wider community. Mayor Gianpaolo Iacobini said, “È di questo che ha bisogno la nostra terra, di odio e distruzione?” and pledged full solidarity with the Consorzio di Bonifica della Calabria and the crews working to repair the station. Police investigations have been launched to identify those responsible.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of essential infrastructure during the ongoing recovery from the February floods and raises concerns about future vandalism risks in the region.