Ascoli Piceno, Italy - August 24, 2024

On the evening of August 24, 2024, Montedinove, a small town in the Ascoli Piceno province, faced a cultural emergency when part of the roof of the Santa Chiara Church, now serving as a museum, partially collapsed. The incident prompted an immediate response from local firefighters, who worked into the night to secure the site and protect both public safety and the invaluable artistic heritage housed within.

Two teams from the fire department were dispatched to the scene, focusing on conducting structural assessments of the building to prevent further collapse. Their efforts were not only directed at ensuring no one was harmed but also at safeguarding the cultural artifacts within the museum. Throughout the night, they managed to move several artworks to a safe location, preventing potential damage from any further structural instability.

Local authorities have announced that a detailed investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once the site is deemed safe. Meanwhile, experts in architectural conservation are expected to join the efforts to assess the damage and propose restoration plans.