It was a woman’s handbag left on the corner of Via Bertora, the street leading to the Genoa Synagogue, that triggered the alarm on the morning of October 7th. Fortunately, inside there was nothing but newspaper.
The handbag, made of faux leather with colorful embroidery, found inside a plastic bag, immediately aroused suspicion on a day already charged with tension, marking the second anniversary of the Hamas attack in October 2023, an event commemorated with widespread participation and attention throughout Italy. A permanent guard is stationed at the entrance to the place of worship, just steps from where it was found.
A call from a passerby who saw the bag reached the 112 operations center around 10 am, which immediately activated the emergency protocol.
The place of discovery
Firefighters, patrol officers, and the state police bomb squad responded immediately to the scene to assess the situation and ensure public safety. Via Assarotti was temporarily closed to traffic to allow for inspection and clearing of the area, while law enforcement cordoned off the affected area with red and white tape.
Law enforcement in Via Assarotti
The intervention of the bomb squad
Bomb disposal experts carefully inspected the bag, then proceeded with a controlled detonation to neutralize any potential danger. Fortunately, the operation went off without incident, and traffic was gradually restored.
Authorities have launched investigations to determine the origin of the package and assess any possible culprits. Forensic scientists were also on site, conducting an inspection to check for any writing or details among the newspaper pieces inside the bag. According to the investigation, it may have been a provocation.
