Hostage Crisis Unfolds at Naples Bank Branch
In a dramatic incident on Thursday, three armed robbers stormed a Crédit Agricole bank branch in Naples, taking 25 people hostage for approximately two hours before making a daring escape through the city's sewer network. The robbery occurred in the Arenella district at Piazza Medaglie d'Oro, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Swift Police Action Frees Hostages
According to official statements from Michele di Bari, the prefect of Naples, police and emergency responders acted quickly to secure the scene and rescue the hostages. "Thanks to the swift response … all the hostages were freed shortly after 1:30pm, without serious injuries," di Bari confirmed. Emergency workers were forced to smash windows to gain entry to the bank after the robbers had already fled the premises.
One bank customer who was among those held captive described the terrifying experience to local media. "I was in the bank when they entered; there was definitely three of them. They came and locked us – customers, employees and the manager – in a room. They were armed but they didn't use violence," the witness recounted.
Elaborate Escape Through Sewer System
The robbers' escape route proved particularly unusual and sophisticated. After holding staff and customers captive from approximately 11:30am, the thieves reportedly escaped through a hole they had created in the bank's floor, descending into Naples' extensive sewer system. Local authorities have since launched an inspection of the sewer network in cooperation with the company that manages the city's water infrastructure.
Naples prosecutor Nicola Gratteri personally attended the crime scene as investigations into the robbery intensified. While initial reports suggested the robbers may have targeted safety deposit boxes, it remains unclear whether they successfully fled with any loot. According to local news sources, there was no cash present in the bank at the time of the robbery.
History of Similar Bank Heists
This incident bears striking resemblance to a previous robbery targeting Crédit Agricole in Milan back in 2020. In that case, two armed robbers entered through the main entrance while two accomplices accessed the bank via a maintenance hole after crawling through the sewer network. The Milan gang successfully stole several safe-deposit boxes before all escaping through the drainage system.
The latest Naples robbery highlights ongoing security challenges facing financial institutions and raises questions about urban infrastructure vulnerabilities. As police continue their manhunt through the sewer network, the community remains shaken by the brazen daylight attack that temporarily turned a neighborhood bank into a hostage situation.
