Italian Politician on Naples: ‘It’s Worse Than Kabul’

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  01.10.08 | 9:23 AM ET

Six months after the U.S. Embassy in Italy issued a travel advisory over mounting garbage in Naples, the Italian city is taking decisive action. Or at least, it’s taking action. According to Reuters, a new “trash tsar” has been appointed to clean up the streets—literally. But considering that the latest appointment is one in a series of tsar-ships that began in 1994, when Naples first declared a state of emergency that has never been lifted, you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.

Meanwhile, Naples’ trash crisis continues. On Wednesday, residents barricaded a suburb to prevent garbage from being dumped there and clashed overnight with police. It’s estimated that over 100,000 tons of garbage are rotting in the streets of Naples and the surrounding region.

Related on World Hum:
* U.S. Embassy in Italy: Naples Stinks!
* Venice to Tourists: Keep Your Shirt On!

Tags: Europe, Italy

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


2 Comments for Italian Politician on Naples: ‘It’s Worse Than Kabul’

Peter Daams 01.10.08 | 8:50 PM ET

Amazing that they could let this happen! Definitely a place to steer well clear of for the time being.

Ben 01.11.08 | 3:29 PM ET

According to the BBC, someone in Naples found a good place to dispose of their garbage: Sardinia. The only trouble is that residents of Cagliari weren’t too keen on becoming the release valve for their fellow Italians and expresed this discontent by starting fires. The trash tsar might need to consider a Plan B.

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