In light of the inspections carried out and the related transmission of the verification report on the interventions carried out at the Central Cemetery (Gran Camposanto) and the Santa Margherita Cemetery, the mayor Federico Basile has ordered the extension of the closure of the two cemetery sites until midnight today, 16 February. The technical checks highlighted the persistence of risk conditions for public safety.
At the moment, only one collapsed tree has been removed from the Gran Camposanto, the one lying on the border wall on the Via Catania side, while numerous critical issues remain. The stretch of road leading to the crematorium is closed to vehicular traffic, as are various internal arteries in the Palmara, S. Cosimo Basso and S. Cosimo Alto areas. In the Palmara area alone, ten collapsed trees were recorded, as well as numerous plants that have inclinations that require a careful assessment of their stability.
The situation near the entrance to S. Cosimo Basso is particularly critical, where the hydraulic recovery system towards the upstream reservoir was compromised by the collapse of two cypress trees, while a third has a significant inclination.
In the Santa Margherita cemetery there are six felled cypresses and two in conditions of imminent collapse; at the moment no removal interventions have yet been carried out. The areas affected by the collapses were blocked from access using metal panels and red-white warning tape. Furthermore, widespread critical conditions remain along the internal routes of both cemeteries, affected by the presence of waste, foliage, branches and overturned stairs, many of which are no longer usable due to the deformations suffered, circumstances which make the use of the places unsafe.
With regard to mortuary police activities, exclusively for the purpose of reducing the waiting load at the mortuary rooms, it will be possible to operate only in the lower part of the Santa Margherita cemetery, where no tree collapses have been recorded; However, the entry of family members is not recommended given the conditions of the routes. Inside the Gran Camposanto, mortuary police operations can be carried out, always exceptionally, without the presence of family members until safety conditions are completely restored.
“The Cemeteries Service, both for the Administrative and Technical areas, will continue to constantly monitor the mortuary police activities, transmitting a daily report on the state of the places and any necessary interventions – declares the Councilor for Cemeteries Massimiliano Minutoli – and at the same time we will proceed with the complete safety of the areas, in order to guarantee the total restoration of the conditions for the full reopening of the two cemeteries”.