Molise isolated and schools closed in Campobasso: the Petacciato landslide (4 km long) deforms the tracks and splits Italy in two

Molise is dealing with an infrastructure emergency that risks lasting for a long time. The historic Petacciato landslide, among the largest in Europe, has reactivated after the intense rains of the last few days, causing the closure of the A14 motorway and the interruption of the Adriatica railway line. The landslide front extends for approximately 4 kilometers and directly affects one of the most important corridors connecting north and south.

Sensors installed in the area detected ground shifts and roadway deformations. The asphalt has obvious cracks, while structural deformations have been recorded along the railway tracks which make the movement of trains impossible. The situation forced an immediate stop for safety reasons.

Motorway closed and trains diverted

The closure of the A14 caused queues of up to 13 kilometers and mandatory diversions onto already congested alternative routes. Ordinary traffic is also under pressure because other connections are compromised by the recent bad weather, further worsening the situation.

On the railway front, traffic is suspended between Vasto and Termoli, with long-distance trains limited or diverted onto longer alternative routes. Travel times are expected to increase significantly and, at the moment, it is not possible to establish when the line will return to operation. The technicians are monitoring the evolution of the landslide, but interventions can only begin when the ground stops moving.

Schools closed and alert in the area

The impact of the emergency extends beyond transportation. The closure of schools of all levels has been ordered throughout the province of Campobasso, together with the suspension of university activities. The decision is linked to the serious difficulties in mobility and the need to ease traffic to ensure safety.

The Civil Protection has activated volunteers to assist stranded motorists and support flow management. Checks are also underway on the healthcare network and the connections for the supply of essential services, in case the situation continues.

Long recovery times

What will happen now? Unfortunately, initial assessments indicate a prolonged emergency. The landslide, defined as “intermittent”, has been known for over a century and is periodically reactivated in the presence of intense rainfall. The current movement affects a wide and deep area, making any immediate intervention complex.

Before starting the work it will be necessary to wait for the slope to stabilize. Only then can the operations to secure and restore the infrastructure begin. The most realistic hypothesis speaks of weeks or months to return to normality. In the meantime, Molise remains with reduced connections and severely compromised road conditions.

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