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world6h ago
In southern Italy, poisoned 'Land of Fires' continues to claim lives
- The European Court of Human Rights condemned Italy last year for failing to protect residents in Campania’s Land of Fires.
- Campaigners say depollution progress is ongoing but funding is insufficient to address thousands of sites.
- Authorities appointed a special commissioner to coordinate cleanup across 33,000 tonnes of surface waste and buried toxins.
- Local residents and mothers’ associations describe ongoing health risks and demand greater transparency.
- Experts warn that pollution and crime in Campania are not fully resolved and require preventive measures and traceability of hazardous waste.
- The 2025 Italian decree-law expanded enforcement and depollution steps as part of the response to the ECHR ruling.
- Carabinieri and local police intensified site inspections, seizing unlawful landfills and inspecting cement facilities near agricultural land.
- Experts say gains may be undermined by new routes for illegal dumping as criminal networks adapt.
- The case Cannavacciuolo v. Italy highlighted state failings and the need for accountability beyond the courtroom.
- European monitoring and public information platforms were a central demand from victims and advocates.
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