Bologna Centrale Bombing Memorial in Bologna, Italy
On Saturday, 2nd August 1980, at 10.25 am, a bomb exploded in the 2nd-class waiting room at Bologna Centrale. The blast affected the surrounding areas of the station, causing a part of the building to collapse and also struck the stationary Ancona–Chiasso train, standing at platform one. At the time of the explosion the station was busy with commuters. Among those present were students and…
On the morning of August 2, 1980, a devastating bomb explosion occurred at Bologna Centrale, Italy's main train station. The 10:25 am blast took place in the second-class waiting area, causing significant damage to the surrounding building and striking the stationary Ancona–Chiasso train at platform one. The station was filled with commuters, students, workers, families, and holiday travelers from various Italian cities and countries.
The attack resulted in 85 fatalities and 200 injuries. Among the victims were a three-year-old child and an 86-year-old person, with many young adults aged in their teens and twenties. The Bologna Centrale Bombing stands as the deadliest massacre in Italy during the 'strategy of tension' era, characterized by terrorism and political violence.
The explosion left a visible scar on the station's wall. During the station's reconstruction, the damaged portion of the wall was preserved as a memorial, allowing visitors to view the exact location of the blast and read the names engraved on the plaque. Every year, Bologna honors the 85 victims and their families by observing a minute's silence at 10:25 am on August 2.
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