High Tension Between Parona and Sommacampagna: the Folgore Secures the City

Verona, June 16, 2025 – It was a Sunday of high tension on June 15, during which Verona faced one of the most delicate bomb disposal operations in recent years. Three aerial bombs dating back to World War II – one weighing 1000 pounds and two weighing 100 pounds, all of American manufacture – were successfully neutralized by the paratrooper bomb disposal experts of the 8th Engineer Regiment of the “Folgore” Brigade from Legnago.

The operation, dubbed “bomb day”, required extraordinary technical and organizational effort. The men of the “Folgore”, elite of the military engineering corps, faced the threat with professionalism, composure, and swift action, operating directly at the discovery sites to defuse the fuses – the most sensitive parts of the bombs – before safely transporting the shells to Sommacampagna for nighttime detonation.

The ability to act effectively in complex urban environments and high-risk situations once again confirms the operational value of the Italian Army's paratrooper units, always at the forefront of the most critical emergencies.

The City Stops: Evacuations, Safety, and a Flawless Operation

The operations, which began at 8:45, were preceded by a massive evacuation: over 2,700 residents left their homes, with particular attention to the Parona district, where the most powerful bomb was found. The Municipality of Verona, together with Civil Protection, arranged a precise assistance plan, with transport for vulnerable people, a reception center at via Sogare 3, and the collaboration of over 100 operators including Local Police and volunteers.

The securing operation also involved the temporary closure of the Brennero highway, the blockage of railway traffic on the Verona–Bolzano line, and the suspension of airspace over Villafranca. Despite the scale of the event and the inevitable repercussions on city and regional mobility, the operation was completed within the scheduled time, without any incidents.

Once again, the role of the “Folgore” bomb disposal experts was crucial, as they worked in complex logistical conditions, demonstrating an operational capability that goes well beyond technical clearance: it was, in fact, a high-precision civil protection operation.

The Folgore, a Silent Stronghold Against Past Threats

The success of the Verona operation is not an isolated case, but the latest tangible proof of how the specialist units of the Army, and in particular the 8th Paratrooper Engineer Regiment, represent a silent pillar of national security.

In 2025 alone, the “Folgore” engineers carried out over 140 interventions, neutralizing more than 400 bombs, including five aerial bombs. Each intervention involves high risks, which these soldiers face with discipline, constant training, and an uncommon sense of duty.

The management of the Verona “bomb day”, with the simultaneous clearance of three bombs in densely populated urban areas, demonstrates the level of readiness and reliability of these units. The entire population involved could rely on an intervention device capable of handling the most extreme situations, led by men and women who often operate away from the spotlight, but at the center of the country's security.

The nighttime detonation in the Sommacampagna quarry marked the end of a mission carried out with honor, effectiveness, and a sense of state. It is also thanks to these skills that Italy manages to coexist safely with a historical legacy still alive underground.