On July 19, a fire devastated the areas of Lido Conchiglie and Montagna Spaccata-Rupi di San Mauro in the municipality of Sannicola, affecting about 120 hectares of land. A vast fire that was also reported by Rai in the service at this link. Unfortunately, the public service television, funded by the citizens, "forgot" to report what emerged from the flames: a vast illegal asbestos dump (featured in the photo). However, only one local newspaper reported this. But the real question is: was it really such a surprise? No, it was not at all surprising, and Rai, along with all the newspapers in this nation, also forgot to mention this. In fact, it may have been a surprise to some citizens – but certainly not to the local authorities. This is the aspect that everyone has overlooked so far. Yes, because the undersigned has recovered documentation that proves that the local authorities knew about the dump for at least three years and did little or nothing about it. Through these channels, I personally informed Senators Mazzella and Turco, who – on December 22 – submitted a parliamentary inquiry on the matter, asking for concrete answers and actions from the authorities.
The Beauty Destroyed at Lido Conchiglie and Montagna Spaccata
Lido Conchiglie is a coastal location in the municipality of Sannicola, Lecce, in the Puglia region. This place has the flavor of Mediterranean biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial; its sandy beaches and crystal-clear sea make it a popular tourist destination during the summer months. Then there is the Montagna Spaccata-Rupi San Mauri area, still in the municipality of Sannicola, known for its striking landscape of unique rock formations. A natural environment rich in a variety of flora and fauna typical of the Mediterranean scrub; a place much appreciated for hiking and outdoor activities. It would all be wonderful, were it not for these places, of great scenic interest and strong tourist vocation, being marred by an ecological bomb that, at this precise moment, is annihilating thousands of lives. In the area, in addition to flora and fauna, there are also several homes.
The Truth Under the Ashes, Behind the Omissions of the Media and Local Authorities
Only the local news outlet Telerama News narrated this "macabre discovery" through the service available at this link; an event ignored by all other newspapers, and yet – despite the surprise effect narrated by the outlet – it was already known. Or at least it certainly was to the authorities. Indeed, this aspect was truly forgotten by everyone. So much so that, before the service mentioned above, the population had never been formally informed of the danger by the competent bodies. Why didn't they do it? Why didn't any other newspaper talk about it?
It was the environmental association Italia Nostra that, in 2020, drafted an official communication to the Municipality of Sannicola, and to all competent authorities, about the presence of the giant illegal dump of asbestos artifacts. It is necessary to bear in mind that the area had already been affected by several episodes of toxic waste abandonment, but above all had been affected by periodic fires, whose flames had also hit the asbestos artifacts. This means that for at least three years the population has been exposed to the presence of friable asbestos. Not surprisingly, the association's report requested urgent cleanup interventions. So urgent that the authorities thought it wise to perpetrate three years of silence. Only on November 7, 2023, did the various landowners affected by the pollution receive notification of the start of a procedure for the removal of waste at their own expense.
The Conclusions of the Cleanup Effort in Sannicola
The cleanup intervention in the area of Sannicola, particularly affected by an illegal dump of asbestos and other hazardous waste, represents a significant step forward in the management of local environmental emergencies.
A document published by the administration of the city of Sannicola, on 23 January 2024, reveals that after years of reporting and pressure from environmental entities like Italia Nostra, and after facing bureaucratic challenges and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Municipality of Sannicola has finally initiated concrete action.
Actions taken include the assignment of a qualified professional to support the Project Manager (RUP) in the cleanup operations. The process involves the complete removal of waste, its classification and qualification, and the restoration of the state of the places, partially funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), demonstrating both local and national commitment to solving this serious environmental problem.
Written by Filly Vicidomini