A rocky ridge looming over Via Garipoli, Taormina's main access road, which has been closed to traffic for weeks due to landslide risk, has been blasted by the bomb squad. The explosive-controlled demolition operation involved two rocky blocks on the southern slope of Monte Ziretto, at an elevation of 160 meters above sea level, as part of work for the railway doubling of the Messina-Catania high-capacity line, Fiumefreddo-Taormina section. The blocks, of limestone formation, had a total volume of about 3,050 cubic meters and an estimated weight of more than 8,200 tons. Operations were coordinated by Sicily Civil Protection Commissioner Salvo Cocina, with support from the Advanced Operations Center set up by the Messina-Catania Consortium in the Lumbi parking lot in Taormina. The operation required the temporary evacuation of some homes below and the closure of the A18 highway in the section between the Calcarone (Giardini Naxos) and Spisone (Taormina) toll booths.