Two youthful mountaineers scale the dome of San Gaudenzio and share their achievements on social networking platforms.
In a daring and reckless act, two teenagers from Milan and Brescia scaled the iconic dome of San Gaudenzio in Novara, Italy. The incident, which appears to have been inspired by a questionable trend spreading on social media, was reported to 112 by a resident of Via Dante.
The teenagers, aged 17 and 18, climbed the wall of via Bescapè, jumping from one roof to another before entering the basilica and the dome. They managed to open a window and climb up to the statue of the Savior, almost reaching the top of the dome. Their colleagues were quickly located by local police officers, with one being apprehended by an officer, and the other found later.
The incident has been deemed grave by Luca Piantanida, the local police assessor. The teenagers' actions not only put themselves in real danger but also potentially caused damage to the historical basilica and dome. The technicians are currently assessing any damage that may have occurred during the unauthorized climb.
The teenagers took photos and recorded videos during their climb, likely intended for social media. As a result, they have been charged with trespassing and damaging public buildings. The 17-year-old from Milan will be referred to the Novara juvenile court, while the 18-year-old from Brescia will be referred to the Turin juvenile court.
It is important to note that authorized climbs or visits to the dome are organized with safety equipment like helmets and harnesses as part of formal tours, ensuring a safe experience to the top of the dome. Unauthorized climbs, if they occur, are not documented in the search results.
The local police officers acted swiftly and responsibly to stop the reckless act, and the woman who made the report was thanked for her vigilance. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting historical landmarks and the potential consequences of reckless behaviour.
The teenagers' actions, such as recording videos during the unauthorized climb and potentially causing damage to the historical basilica, could lead to significant social media backlash. On average, the number of cases of unauthorized climbing incidents at San Gaudenzio's dome might increase due to the widely spread video footage and entertainment value on social media platforms. Additionally, the charges against the teenagers include not only trespassing and damaging public buildings but also sports-analysis for their attempted ascent without the proper safety equipment.
