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Landslide Severs Italy’s Adriatic Corridor, Shutting A14 and Rail in Molise

Officials warn repairs could take weeks or months given the ongoing ground movement.

Overview

  • The Petacciato slope, which reactivated Tuesday after heavy rain, spans about four kilometres and is still moving, according to Italy’s civil protection chief.
  • The A14 motorway is closed in both directions between Vasto Sud and Termoli, and the BariPescara line is interrupted near Termoli after tracks warped by roughly 10 centimeters.
  • About 50 residents have been evacuated as a precaution, schools and the university in the province of Campobasso were ordered shut, and emergency crews are assisting stranded travelers.
  • Authorities say no full repairs can begin until the ground stabilizes, with a partial rail restart under evaluation for Friday as teams continue safety checks.
  • Geologists link the slide to rain raising water pressure in sandy and gravel layers over clay, and engineers are studying deep drainage with about 50 wells to lower that pressure.