Lake Garda Bombs Investigation: Mayor Calls for Urgent Checks
“A new disturbing hypothesis in a case that, however, it’s worth remembering, has so far had too many almost farcical developments.” Following the revelations of our newspaper, which yesterday published the contents of a technical report suggesting that the now infamous NATO bombs dropped into the lake in April 1999 might be located near the Rocca di Manerba, the town’s mayor, Isidoro Bertini, responds firmly but without giving in to excessive alarm, especially because one thing seems certain: they are not the depleted uranium devices that have been making headlines in recent days.
“Regarding the Bombs in Garda, so far there has been a lot of confusion and noise, but few concrete results,” says the mayor of the important tourist location in Valtenese. “And I believe that everyone’s hope, naturally, is that nothing is found in the lake, especially now that the alarm about the presence of the devices is joined by concerns over depleted uranium.”
It is clear, however, that the alarm has now been raised: a certainly worrying alarm, which we have a duty to address by contacting the appropriate authorities and requesting checks and investigations as soon as possible.” Bertini first announces the intention of the municipal administration to contact the ballistic expert who authored the technical report, Antonino Chilà, to verify the validity of his hypotheses and to obtain his expert opinion firsthand.
Subsequently, the municipality will activate all relevant authorities. “The results of this investigation will obviously involve our town in an entirely unexpected way,” he explains. “If we find the technical report is based on solid reasons, we will not hesitate to contact all competent authorities, from the Ministry of Defense to NATO, requesting that the checks and investigations be extended to the waters of Manerba.”
Hoping, of course, that once again it is a false alarm.” In April 1999, when a plane appeared in the skies, which, after dropping tanks over the Vicentine mountains, released six bombs into Lake Garda, it seemed that the affected area was near Toscolano Maderno.
And Mayor Paolo Elena took action, along with his riviera colleagues, to gather information about the danger posed by the devices. “We went to the Prefect,” – recalls Elena, – “since we knew nothing about the number or type. They told us that three bombs were laser-guided and three cluster bombs. And they assured us they were not dangerous.” Subsequent investigations revealed that the F15 aircraft entered Lake Garda from Punta San Vigilio and exited at Sirmione.
Thus, Navy divers began searches on the lake’s bottom. “I,” – continues the mayor – “am not inclined to be defeatist or apocalyptic. But I want clear, precise answers to clarify the truth. Experts say that, before being dropped, the bombs are deactivated. Therefore, where they are now would not cause any harm.”
Especially considering that the lake is full of iron: devices from the World War II era, sunken dredgers, etc. “But the story of the depleted uranium makes one cautious. I would like to know precisely what the situation is,” – Elena continues, potentially increasing the number of teams conducting searches.
Is it possible that these so-called smart bombs have suddenly become silent and no longer trigger alarms on sonar?” Influence on tourism? “Not only the incident on Strada Statale 45 bis, interrupted at Limone, but now we see the effects of the conflict in Kosovo. External perceptions are not positive. I repeat: all shadows must be cleared, and clarity must be achieved.” Claudio Andrizzi and Sergio Zanca