A series of landslides in the coastal town of Camogli, Italy, continues to disrupt the area, with the latest incident impacting access to a cardiovascular rehabilitation clinic. While no injuries have been reported, the ongoing geological instability raises concerns about the region’s vulnerability to such events.
The most recent landslide, occurring after a previous incident in January, involved a section of wall along a private road connecting the Aurelia highway to the Cardiovascular Institute Camogli. Firefighters responded to the scene, securing the area and creating pathways to allow pedestrian access. The landslide completely blocked the road, isolating the clinic which houses approximately sixty individuals, including patients and staff. Mayor Giovanni Anelli and municipal technicians are currently assessing the situation to determine the best course of action, with the possibility of temporarily relocating patients under consideration.
This latest event follows a landslide on in Via Figari, which caused a 100-meter section of the road to collapse. That road was closed for several days before reopening last Thursday. These recurring landslides highlight a pattern of instability along the Ligurian coast.
The broader context of these events reveals a history of geological challenges in the region. A particularly devastating incident occurred in , when a portion of the Camogli cemetery collapsed into the sea, carrying with it an estimated 200 coffins. This event prompted a forensic investigation, as detailed in a study published in in Genes, focusing on the complex identification procedures required in such circumstances. The study, authored by Camilla Tettamanti and colleagues from the University of Genova and other institutions, aimed to evaluate the forensic activities conducted following the cemetery collapse in light of Italian legal standards.
The 2021 cemetery collapse was attributed to coastal erosion, a factor likely contributing to the recent landslides as well. Reports from the time indicated that cracks in the cemetery walls and unusual creaking sounds were observed prior to the collapse, and safety nets had been installed in an attempt to prevent the disaster. Divers from the local fire brigade and the coast guard were deployed to recover coffins from the sea, managing to retrieve 12 by Wednesday following the event. The incident sparked public outcry and raised questions about infrastructure maintenance and disaster prevention, mirroring concerns following a 2018 bridge collapse in Genoa that resulted in 43 fatalities.
The vulnerability of the Ligurian coast to landslides is well-documented. According to Francesco Olivari, the mayor of Camogli, predicting and preventing these collapses is exceptionally difficult due to the fragile nature of the terrain. Tino Revello, an official with the public works department in Camogli, suggested that recent violent storms have likely exacerbated the erosion of the cliffside. This observation aligns with findings from the Italian National Geological Council, which has identified storms as a contributing factor to the increasing instability along the Ligurian coast.
The aftermath of the 2021 cemetery collapse involved not only the physical recovery of remains but also a complex process of identification. The forensic approach, as outlined in the Genes study, involved meticulous documentation, anthropological analysis, and potentially, DNA identification. The study underscores the challenges inherent in such cases, particularly when dealing with degraded remains recovered from a marine environment.
The current situation with the landslides impacting access to the Cardiovascular Institute Camogli underscores the ongoing need for proactive measures to mitigate geological risks in the region. While the immediate focus is on ensuring the safety of patients and staff, the recurring nature of these events necessitates a comprehensive assessment of the area’s geological stability and the implementation of long-term preventative strategies. The investigation opened by the Genoa Public Prosecutor’s Office following the cemetery collapse suggests a heightened scrutiny of infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness in the region.
The emotional toll on the community is also significant. As Clara Terrile, a Camogli resident, expressed following the cemetery collapse, the loss of a place to visit and remember loved ones is deeply felt. The ongoing landslides serve as a stark reminder of the power of natural forces and the importance of addressing the underlying geological vulnerabilities of the Ligurian coast.
