An explosive device was planted overnight beneath the car of investigative journalist and Report host Sigfrido Ranucci late last night. The vehicle exploded, damaging another family car and a nearby house.
Carabinieri, Digos, firefighters, and forensic teams rushed to the scene. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation, and the Prefect has been notified.
Authorities report that the blast was powerful enough to kill anyone nearby at the moment of the explosion.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and several media freedom groups strongly condemned the car bomb attack targeting Italian investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci and his family.
On 16 October 2025, a 1kg explosive detonated near Ranucci’s car in Pomezia, near Rome — just 20 minutes after his daughter had parked it. The explosion damaged vehicles and a nearby house but caused no injuries.
Ranucci, host of “Report” on Rai 3, has long investigated corruption and organised crime and has faced repeated threats and intimidation. He has been under police protection since 2010, strengthened in 2021 due to threats from the ’Ndrangheta.
Following the attack, Italy’s Interior Minister ordered maximum protection for Ranucci, including an armoured car and armed escort. Opposition parties have also called for the Anti-Mafia Committee to hear his testimony.
Ranucci has repeatedly spoken out about growing press freedom restrictions at Rai, citing lawsuits, disciplinary actions, and the recent cutting of four episodes of “Report” — an unprecedented move in the show’s 30-year history.
Journalists’ union leader Alessandra Costante condemned the bombing as “an attack on democracy and freedom of information”, urging swift action and clarity. The Anti-Mafia Investigation Division has opened an official inquiry.
All major Italian politicians including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and President Luigi Mattarella condemned the attack.
Ironically the bomb attack occurred on the eighth anniversary of the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
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