Firefighters rescued a suspected robber from a collapsed tunnel in Rome on Thursday evening. A criminal gang wanted to use the upcoming long Ferragosto weekend to break through the tunnel into the vault of a bank not far from the Vatican. But while digging, a piece of asphalt came loose and one of the men got stuck about twenty feet below the ground.
Firefighters had to dig a parallel tunnel for eight hours to get to the trapped man. “Help, please free me!” Was the victim’s desperate request to the rescuers, who were on the spot with special units.
The rescue was greeted with a long round of applause from the many people who had spent hours watching the fire brigade. After his release, the man was supplied with oxygen and liquid food by emergency services. Then he was admitted to hospital.
Two accomplices arrested
Three of the man’s accomplices were able to save themselves before the tunnel collapsed, but were stopped and questioned by the carabinieri. They should already have a criminal record, Italian media report. Two members of the gang were arrested and two others came forward. These are two Romans and two Neapolitans, the security forces reported. One of the gang members is said to have alerted the fire service after the accomplice got stuck in the tunnel.
Criminals breaking into bank branches and jewelers through the sewer to rob them are not uncommon in Italy. There have been several similar cases in the past, especially in Naples.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
