Andrea Innocenti Around 19:30 PM on Monday, October 5, a loud bang shook the Borgo Santa Caterina area, on Via Longo in Bergamo . The explosion, felt as far away as Via Suardi, Via Noli, and even Via Baioni, sparked fears of an earthquake among residents. The bolt of fire originated in an apartment on the mezzanine floor of the building at number 9, which houses sixty units spread across four stairwells.
The authorities immediately sealed off the stretch of road, while frightened residents poured into the streets looking for a way to escape.
Relief operations and accommodation for displaced persons
Five fire trucks , five ambulances, two medical cars and the police (State Police, Carabinieri and Local Police) intervened on the scene .
After the entire building was evacuated, approximately fifty people were forced to leave their homes. The Municipality of Bergamo, thanks to the collaboration of facilities such as the Central Hostel, the NH Hotel Bergamo and Orio, the Radisson ChorusLife, and the Hotel San Marco Excelsior, provided temporary rooms. Authorities also coordinated with social services offices to address the needs of those who found themselves homeless.
Victim profiles and health status
Investigations revealed that the explosion originated in the kitchen of a ground-floor apartment, occupied by a Romanian couple , both of whom suffered severe burns. The couple were rescued by air ambulance with critical injuries: the woman was transported to Niguarda Hospital in Milan, where her life is in danger, while the man landed in Verona for specialist treatment. Seven other people also suffered varying degrees of injuries.
Injury toll
The total number of infected people is nine: two are in critical condition (the couple), two are in yellow code , and five are in green code . The most seriously injured, other than the couple, were admitted to the Papa Giovanni hospital in Bergamo. The others, although with minor injuries, received first aid on site thanks to the ambulances that responded.
Adjacent buildings and cause of the explosion
The neighboring buildings sustained damage from the blast , with broken windows and damaged doors, but remained accessible . According to witnesses, a strong smell of gas had been detected in the area before the explosion. The building's caretaker, attempting to locate the source of the smell, was checking the intercom system when the explosion occurred, suggesting a likely gas leak from the kitchen.
Residents' reactions and institutional interventions
Many residents described the scene as "it sounded like a bomb," adding that the sound shook the ground beneath their feet. The closure of Via Longo, both on the Via Suardi side and on Borgo Santa Caterina, caused significant traffic disruption; the road was reopened around midnight, still littered with shards of glass. Prefect Luca Rotondi, Police Commissioner Vincenzo Nicolì , and Deputy Prosecutor Emanuele Marchisio were on site , monitoring the operation. Mayor Elena Carnevali, supported from Londra, maintained constant contact with the prefect to ensure a coordinated response.