Naples, Campania, Italy – A court in Naples yesterday handed down sentences of 17 and a half years in prison to Pasquale Punzo and Vincenzo D’Angelo, the owners of an illegal fireworks factory in Ercolano, following a fatal explosion on November 18, 2024. The blast claimed the lives of three young workers: 26-year-old twins Sara and Aurora Esposito, and 18-year-old Samuel Tafciu. Raffaele Boccia, who supplied the gunpowder, received a four-year sentence.
Family Outcry and Courtroom Tensions
The reading of the verdict in the first-degree trial was met with outrage and emotional protests from the victims’ families, who exclaimed, “This is not justice!” and reportedly threw chairs and other objects. The intense reaction forced the judge, prosecutors, and defendants to temporarily evacuate the courtroom. Tensions continued outside the courthouse, with family members of the victims reportedly issuing threats towards the defendants’ relatives. “Samuel’s life is not worth 17 years,” cried the family of Samuel Tafciu, highlighting their belief that the sentences were insufficient.
Security measures were notably high throughout the hearing, with police and Carabinieri officers present in Courtroom 413. Medical personnel were also on standby and intervened on several occasions due to the highly charged atmosphere. The judge was unable to complete the official reading of the verdict due to the ongoing disturbances.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors had accused Punzo and D’Angelo, the proprietors of the illicit fireworks operation, of multiple charges, including triple voluntary homicide with eventual intent, illegal labor practices (caporalato), and the unlawful possession and manufacturing of explosives, in addition to numerous violations of workplace safety regulations. Raffaele Boccia faced charges of complicity in the illegal manufacturing of explosive materials.
The father of 18-year-old Samuel Tafciu, visibly distraught, reiterated his belief that the sentences were too lenient. “This is not justice. They should have been sentenced to life imprisonment. There are three victims; 17 years is too little,” he stated through tears outside the courtroom. He further added, “He had been working since he was 15, he already had a child. He was a good boy.”
The Aftermath and Broader Implications
The tragedy underscores the severe dangers associated with illegal manufacturing operations, particularly those involving highly volatile materials like fireworks. The incident also brings to light the pervasive issue of illegal labor practices, or ‘caporalato’, which often exploits vulnerable workers, including minors. The emotional fallout from the verdict highlights the deep pain and demand for justice from families who have lost loved ones in such preventable incidents.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of stringent enforcement of safety regulations and the fight against illicit enterprises that endanger lives for profit. The community continues to grapple with the consequences of this devastating event, and the legal proceedings, though concluded in the first degree, leave many questions about accountability and justice in the hearts of those affected.
Source: https://napoli.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_dicembre_10/sara-aurora-e-samuel-morti-nella-fabbrica-di-botti-abusiva-di-ercolano-17-anni-e-mezzo-ai-due-titolari-i-familiari-questa-non-e-f8cabd52-dbae-4e3e-94ca-b446aa2bbxlk.shtml
