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15 clusters · 72 sources · 112 days · First seen · Last updated

Italian ATM bombings and fatal explosion near Andria

Overview

The improvised‑explosive ATM attacks that began in late May 2026 across Puglia have expanded beyond the original sites. The wave of violence, characterized by the use of the “marmotta” technique—inserting explosive devices into machines—was noted in early May in Giovinazzo and later in Orta Nova, where three ATMs were targeted. In June, coordinated attacks hit Cerignola, Lecce, and Scorrano, while a major robbery in Riccia, Molise, involved masked men and caused significant local panic. By early July, the activity spread through Basilicata and Calabria, with incidents in Oppido Lucano, Bernalda, and Varapodio. Following incidents in Bisceglie, Pescorocchiano, and Fondi, investigators reported a related episode on July 22 in Cassano delle Murge. Four men were arrested after fleeing in an Alfa Romeo Giulietta with over €35,000 in cash and materials used to manufacture “marmotta” devices. In mid-August, the violence intensified with attacks in Bari, Manfredonia, and Siracusa. By late August, a resurgence occurred in Calabria, and in Cerignola, officials warned that recurring attacks could lead banks to permanently deactivate ATMs. On September 1, an explosion targeted a Banca Agricola Popolare di Sicilia ATM in Francofonte, Sicily, which the FABI banking union described as part of a “criminal escalation.” On September 6, a violent explosion near Andria resulted in the deaths of a Romanian man and an Italian man, both approximately 40 years old. Investigators from the Trani Prosecutor's Office believe the men were handling explosives to manufacture “marmotte” devices. A stolen SUV was discovered near the site, and authorities are investigating whether the blast was an accidental error during the assembly of the devices. On September 8, a BAPS bank branch in Lentini, Sicily, was targeted in an explosive ATM attack. The explosion caused significant structural damage to the bank premises and affected nearby parked vehicles.

Entities

Poste Italiane · Banca Popolare di Milano · Banca Agricola Popolare di Sicilia · Fabi · Carabinieri

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Sicily crime surge: ATM explosions and kidnapping reported in Siracusa

    Criminal activity is rising in Siracusa, Sicily, following an ATM explosion in Lentini and the kidnapping and robbery of a local entrepreneur.

  2. 7 days ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources
    BAPS bank branch in Lentini targeted in explosive ATM attack

    Criminals used explosives to attack a BAPS bank branch in Lentini, Sicily. While no money was stolen due to security measures, the blast caused significant structural damage.

  3. 14 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Francofonte ATM explosion triggers investigation and security concerns

    An explosion targeting an ATM in Francofonte, Sicily, has prompted investigations and calls for improved bank security following a series of similar criminal attacks in the region.

  4. 15 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Cerignola officials demand state intervention after ATM attack

    Authorities in Cerignola are calling for increased state intervention following a recurring pattern of organized ATM robberies affecting the Foggia province and Puglia region.

  5. 15 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Calabria experiences resurgence of explosive ATM attacks

    Criminals using explosives have resumed attacks on ATMs and postal service points in Calabria, Italy, following a series of similar incidents across the region since late 2025.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources
    ATM bombings reported in Belvedere and Manfredonia

    Criminals using explosives have targeted several bank ATMs in Italy, including a major attack in Belvedere, Siracusa, causing significant damage and disrupting essential financial services.

  7. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 8 sources
    Italy crime reports: Barracks assault, ATM explosions, and fraud alerts

    Multiple criminal reports in Italy include a barracks assault in Castelnovo di Sotto, ATM explosions by the ‘marmotta’ gang in Bari, and fraud alerts targeting the elderly in Monregalese.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 14 sources
    Cassano delle Murge ATM robbery results in four arrests

    Four men were arrested after a July 22 robbery of a Cassano delle Murge ATM; police seized €35,000, explosives‑making material and charged them with robbery, weapons and explosives offences.

  9. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Fondi ATM blast damages bank, no injuries reported

    Four masked suspects set off a homemade bomb at a Banco Popolare ATM in Fondi, Italy, causing damage but no injuries; cash was recovered and Carabinieri investigations continue.

  10. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Italian police probe ATM bomb attacks using 'marmotta' technique

    Italian police investigate two ATM bombings that used the “marmotta” technique, one in Bisceglie with no injuries and another in Pescorocchiano that led to an arrest.

  11. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Credem ATM blast in Varapodio, Italy linked to recent Piana di Gioia Tauro robberies

    A Credem ATM in Varapodio, Italy, was blown up with a “marmotta” device, mirroring a recent Rizziconi attack; police and fire crews responded and are reviewing video footage, suspecting the same criminal group.

  12. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Southern Italy sees a wave of ATM bomb attacks thwarted by police

    Multiple ATM bomb attacks across southern Italy, including Basilicata and Calabria, were disrupted or investigated, with police chasing masked thieves and probing links between the incidents.

  13. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 11 sources
    Riccia, Italy: Armed robbery of bank ATM sparks explosions and panic

    Four masked men raided a Riccia ATM with explosives, stealing around €35‑40 k and damaging nearby property; authorities are reviewing video and investigating the coordinated attack.

  14. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Cerignola ATM bombings spark wave of attacks in Puglia

    Armed assailants used explosives to bomb a BPM ATM in Cerignola and similar machines in Salento, part of a rising wave of ATM attacks across Puglia that have damaged dozens of machines since early 2026.

  15. 4 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Puglia ATM bombings damage banks and trigger security emergency

    Explosive attacks on three ATMs in Orta Nova and another in Giovinazzo damaged banks, left thieves empty‑handed, and prompted the mayor to call for an emergency security meeting.

Sources

7colli.it · antennasud.com · anteprima24.it · bariviva.it · bisceglie24.it · blogsicilia.it · borderline24.com · canaledieci.it · canosaweb.it · cblive.it · cedarnews.net · cerignolaviva.it · ciavula.it · cronachedellacampania.it · cuneodice.it · estense.com · foggiareporter.it · giornaledipuglia.com · giornaledisiracusa.it · giornalenews.it · giulianova.it · ilfattoquotidiano.it · ilfattovesuviano.it · ilgiornaledellazio.it · ilgiornaledelmolise.it · ilquotidianoweb.it · ilreggino.it · ilrestodelcarlino.it · internapoli.it · lacnews24.it · lacronaca24.it · lamilano.it · lanotiziaincomune.it · lanotiziaweb.it · laprovinciadivarese.it · lecconotizie.com · leccoonline.com · libertasicilia.it · liratv.it · marchenews24.it · materalife.it · modena2000.it · notiziedabruzzo.it · oltrefreepress.com · parabens.com.br · potenzanews.net · primopianomolise.it · pugliain.net

This summary has been updated 10 times: see revision history