Rome, February 6, 2026 – A significant structural collapse has led to the opening of a six-meter-deep sinkhole in Via Lago di Lesina, in Rome’s Trieste Quarter. The incident, attributed to a century-old sewage system giving way under vehicular traffic, has highlighted the vulnerability of the city’s underground infrastructure and caused considerable disruption to local residents and traffic.
Century-Old Sewer Fails, Road Collapses
The sinkhole, which varies in depth between six and ten meters, appeared in the section of Via Lago di Lesina that runs alongside Parco Nemorense. Authorities were forced to implement immediate traffic modifications to ensure public safety. The road is currently closed to traffic between Largo di Villa Bianca and Via Fibreno, with a one-way system established between Via Massaciuccoli and Via Fibreno.
According to reports, the collapse was triggered by the rupture of an old sewer pipe, leading to a substantial flow of water that was visible within the crater in the initial days following the incident. Technicians from Acea, the local utility company, responded promptly to secure the area and conduct necessary technical surveys. The entire site has been cordoned off to allow for thorough inspections of the surrounding ground stability, particularly critical in this densely populated area with constant pedestrian traffic.
Calls for Urgent Infrastructure Review
The sudden appearance of this sinkhole, on a crucial road connecting Via Nemorense and Viale Eritrea, has sparked widespread debate regarding the maintenance of Rome’s infrastructure. Carlo Pesce, Coordinator of the Metropolitan Area of Rome for AGISCI Italia, voiced strong criticism, emphasizing the unacceptable risk posed to citizens by antiquated and unmonitored underground services. Pesce underscored the urgent need for precise and in-depth inspections to prevent similar incidents from jeopardizing public safety in the future.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Rome faces in maintaining its historic yet aging infrastructure, prompting calls for immediate action to address these underlying issues before further collapses occur.
