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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]
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.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Four individuals were arrested in connection with the ATM robbery.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The robbery occurred on the night of 22 July at a BdM Banca branch in Cassano delle Murge, Italy.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Police seized over €35,000 in cash from the stolen vehicle.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The vehicle used was a stolen maroon Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Materials for homemade explosives, including scales and empty candlesticks, were found in the vehicle.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The suspects were charged with improper robbery, resistance to public officials, injuries, money laundering, and illegal possession of weapons and explosives.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The operation was carried out by the mobile squad of the Questura of Barletta‑Andria‑Trani and the Canosa di Puglia police.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The suspects were aged between 20 and 26 and had prior police records, coming from Canosa di Puglia and Trinitapoli.
Timeline
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3 days ago
[CRIME] 2 sourcesSicily crime surge: ATM explosions and kidnapping reported in SiracusaCriminal activity is rising in Siracusa, Sicily, following an ATM explosion in Lentini and the kidnapping and robbery of a local entrepreneur.
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7 days ago
[CRIME] 6 sourcesBAPS bank branch in Lentini targeted in explosive ATM attackCriminals 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.
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14 days ago
[CRIME] 4 sourcesFrancofonte ATM explosion triggers investigation and security concernsAn 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.
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15 days ago
[CRIME] 3 sourcesCerignola officials demand state intervention after ATM attackAuthorities in Cerignola are calling for increased state intervention following a recurring pattern of organized ATM robberies affecting the Foggia province and Puglia region.
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15 days ago
[CRIME] 2 sourcesCalabria experiences resurgence of explosive ATM attacksCriminals 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.
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about 1 month ago
[CRIME] 6 sourcesATM bombings reported in Belvedere and ManfredoniaCriminals using explosives have targeted several bank ATMs in Italy, including a major attack in Belvedere, Siracusa, causing significant damage and disrupting essential financial services.
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about 1 month ago
[CRIME] 8 sourcesItaly crime reports: Barracks assault, ATM explosions, and fraud alertsMultiple 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.
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about 2 months ago
[CRIME] 14 sourcesCassano delle Murge ATM robbery results in four arrestsFour 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.
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about 2 months ago
[CRIME] 2 sourcesFondi ATM blast damages bank, no injuries reportedFour 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.
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2 months ago
[CRIME] 4 sourcesItalian police probe ATM bomb attacks using 'marmotta' techniqueItalian 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.
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2 months ago
[CRIME] 2 sourcesCredem ATM blast in Varapodio, Italy linked to recent Piana di Gioia Tauro robberiesA 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.
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2 months ago
[CRIME] 4 sourcesSouthern Italy sees a wave of ATM bomb attacks thwarted by policeMultiple 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.
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3 months ago
[CRIME] 11 sourcesRiccia, Italy: Armed robbery of bank ATM sparks explosions and panicFour 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.
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3 months ago
[CRIME] 4 sourcesCerignola ATM bombings spark wave of attacks in PugliaArmed 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.
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4 months ago
[CRIME] 3 sourcesPuglia ATM bombings damage banks and trigger security emergencyExplosive 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