An alarming explosion late Thursday night ripped through two cars belonging to the family of esteemed Italian investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, right outside his home in Pomezia, a tranquil town just south of Rome.
In a solemn social media post, Mr. Ranucci confirmed that the blast, occurring around 10 p.m. local time, was caused by an explosive device deliberately placed under the vehicles. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni swiftly condemned the attack, stating unequivocally that it was a clear attempt to intimidate Mr. Ranucci and silence his impactful reporting.
Mr. Ranucci himself shared a powerful video on social media, capturing the devastating wreckage of the two cars, parked on a street in front of a dark metal gate. The flashing lights of an emergency vehicle pierced the night, and an emergency worker in uniform was visible amidst the scene of destruction.
Mr. Ranucci is widely recognized as the host of “Report,” a groundbreaking investigative program broadcast on Italy’s public channel Rai 3. His life has been under constant threat; since 2021, he has been under police protection following the revelation of an assassination plot orchestrated by the ‘Ndrangheta, a notoriously powerful Italian organized crime syndicate. Disturbingly, approximately 20 Italian journalists investigating corruption and organized crime were living under similar police protection this year, a stark statistic reported by Reporters Without Borders, a global watchdog for press freedom.
The “Report” program is renowned for its unflinching investigations into corruption, governmental mismanagement, and the intricate, often sinister, ties between political figures and the mafia. Just last year, Ms. Meloni’s own party, Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), initiated a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Ranucci and “Report” concerning a segment that implicated the party in connections with mafia activities.
Adding to the tension, Mr. Ranucci had recently announced that a new season of his influential show would commence on October 26, promising to delve into sensitive topics including the banking sector, wind energy, and the complexities of health care systems.
Fortunately, despite the significant property damage, no one sustained injuries in the explosion, as confirmed by Alessia Marzi, a fellow journalist working on “Report.” She noted that Mr. Ranucci and his daughter had returned home less than an hour after the powerful blast occurred.