Dramatic Hostage Situation Unfolds in Naples Bank Robbery
In a brazen daylight heist, armed robbers seized 25 hostages at a Crédit Agricole bank branch in Naples before making a dramatic escape through the city's sewage system. The incident occurred on Thursday around midday local time, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting a massive police response.
Police Negotiation and Hostage Release
Authorities reported that police swiftly surrounded the bank and engaged in tense negotiations with the masked thieves for approximately two hours. Thanks to this coordinated effort, all hostages were released shortly after 1:30 PM without sustaining serious injuries. Regional official Michele di Bari praised the rapid response, stating that the situation was resolved without violence toward the captives.
Footage from the scene showed firefighters using battering rams to smash windows, assisting people covered in shattered glass as they climbed to safety. Six individuals were treated for shock by medical services, but no life-threatening conditions were reported.
Escape Through Sewage Tunnels
Local media sources indicate that the gang, consisting of three or four men wearing masks depicting famous actors, may have prepared their escape route by digging a hole overnight. They allegedly fled through the sewage network, evading immediate capture. In response, special forces from the carabinieri armed police were flown in from Tuscany to handle the crisis.
Several hours after their arrival, these forces forced entry into the bank by breaking a window. A livestream of the incident, watched by tens of thousands, captured the sounds of several shots and a stun gun during the operation.
Aftermath and Investigation
As hostages emerged onto the street, many were seen shaking off glass shards, while others appeared distressed and in tears, greeted by concerned friends and family. One witness told Fanpage.it that the robbers locked the hostages in a room but refrained from using violence despite being armed.
Detectives have yet to make any arrests but are actively searching the sewers near the bank for evidence. The livestream also showed emergency personnel examining a manhole close to the scene. Meanwhile, customers of the bank are demanding answers about the stolen items, with one person questioning La Republica about whether the bank vault or private safety deposit boxes were targeted and how many were opened.
Hundreds of safety deposit boxes were reportedly stolen, though the exact financial loss remains unclear. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the details of this audacious crime.
