The Vela Rossa of Scampia (Naples) partially collapsed during the night: the structure, in reality, was already being demolished and was therefore uninhabited, which made it possible to avoid injuries. Some debris, however, fell close to an adjacent condominium (located in via Gioberti): the Civil Protection of the Campania Region has therefore established the evacuation of 47 families as a precaution, who are gradually returning to their homes this morning.
In the meantime, a temporary reception area with light towers has been set up, after the collapse of an electrical substation (hit by some debris) left the neighborhood in darkness.
The accident, which occurred shortly after 11pm yesterday, 19 May, takes place less than two years after the collapse of the Vela Celeste, which caused 3 deaths, 13 injuries and 800 displaced people, accelerating the demolition work of the Vela Gialla and the Vela Rossa, which began for the latter on 17 December 2025.
What happened during the night at Vela Rossa in Scampia
According to initial information, the collapse was caused by the collapse of the elevator shaft: residents of the area reported hearing a loud bang, similar to that of an earthquake or an explosion, shortly after 11pm yesterday 19 May. The Fire Brigade and medical personnel immediately intervened on the site, ruling out the presence of people under the rubble. In the meantime, they evacuated the tenants of the adjacent building, located in via Gioberti.
The Civil Protection councilor of the Campania Region, Fiorella Zabatta, has just confirmed through a post on Facebook that «the citizens of Scampia belonging to the 47 families evicted yesterday as a precaution following the collapse that occurred at Vela Rossa are gradually returning to their homes. At the moment, only some people residing in scale F remain temporarily away from home, for a total of 49 people of which 31 adults and 18 children”.
In fact, some of the citizens had been removed only due to the lack of electricity caused by the damage to an electrical substation and therefore immediately returned to their homes. Other residents, however, will have to wait a few more hours, not being able to safely access their homes due to the rubble cluttering the entrance to the building.
However, Councilor Zabatta reiterated that «the regional Civil Protection system immediately activated to guarantee assistance to the population throughout the night», preparing «6 large and 6 small gazebos, 14 LED kits with related electrical material, 150 chairs, 10 folding tables, 50 blankets, a light tower, a mobile generator, a small generator, as well as drinking water and basic necessities».
The demolition works of the Vela Rossa: the ReStart project
As mentioned, the Vela Rossa (also known as Vela D) was already in the process of demolition as of December 17, 2025, an operation that began with the eviction of the last 11 families. The intervention follows the same scheme already adopted for the Vela Gialla: first the eviction of the tenants still resident, then the preliminary works and finally the demolition of the reinforced concrete load-bearing structure. In the case of the Vela Rossa, the building had 239 residential units and 98 garages/warehouses, with 105 occupied residential units.
The demolition of the Vele di Scampia is part of the ReStart project, launched by the Municipality of Naples with the aim of regenerating the entire area. The plan involves the demolition of dilapidated structures, the construction of new residential buildings, the creation of public spaces and services and the redevelopment of existing buildings, as in the case of the Vela Celeste, which will not be demolished but renovated.
The project is financed with 159 million euros, partly from PNRR funds, is divided into three phases and should end around 2027, with the aim of creating 433 new autonomous energy-efficient homes.
