Drones, Ai and joint patrols: the Viminale's measures against sabotage on the tracks

A summit to find solutions to high-speed sabotage, which has been particularly widespread in recent days. These include drones to guard sensitive areas, but also video surveillance systems using artificial intelligence. And, of course, the arrival of joint patrols Fs Security-Forces of Law and Order and the extension of fences along the most important infrastructures and the railway network.

These are some of the measures analysed by the National Committee for Public Order and Security. The meeting, chaired at the Viminale by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, was attended by the heads of the police forces, intelligence services, and the Italian State Railways. The Committee also decided to increase controls on trains and on the entire network, along with the strengthening of the 'Safe Stations' programme in large railway stations and in the busiest areas.

 Bologna, Pesaro, Rome. An escalation of sabotage prompted Pianteodosi to organise the table to try to avoid a dangerous escalation. In the meantime, the level of attention and vigilance on the railway network has been raised with increased patrols along the tracks. Monitoring of technical nodes and areas less covered by video surveillance has also been increased in order to preventively intercept any potential signs of threat or emulative action. Under the lens in particular is the fact that sabotage was carried out at strategic points of the high-speed line. It is no coincidence that these sabotage operations were able to block the road network. Hence the need for further investigation.

For those investigating, the arson trail seems clear (tampered manholes, burnt cables and even a trigger were found on the Rome-Florence line) and a connection with the other episodes that occurred last week in Bologna and Pesaro, on the first day of the Winter Olympics, is probable. A sabotage, that of Pesaro, claimed on a blog of anarchist and revolutionary counter-information. The suspicion of investigators, therefore, is that even the latest cases may be part of the same anarchist campaign launched with the start of the Games in Milan Cortina. Already during the day, after the arrival of an initial Digos report, the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office could open an investigation file. It cannot be ruled out that the magistrates of Piazzale Clodio - as already decided by those of Bologna and Ancona - may also proceed for association with the purpose of terrorism and attack on transport security. Investigations by the Capital's forensic police will then begin on the incendiary device left intact last Saturday on the railway line at Castel Maggiore (Bologna). It would be very similar - if not identical - to the one that went off and will be compared by experts with the findings of other devices used in recent years to carry out attacks in the country. Biological traces will also be searched for, which could be useful in tracing those responsible.

The Ministry of Transport wrote in a note that 'the umpteenth news of sabotage and the emergence of the anarcho-insurrectionist track are disturbing but unfortunately not surprising. We are certain that all political forces, without distinction, will present a united front against the violent people attacking Italia'.