Residents in northern Benevento and Pietrelcina reported strong odors overnight between 16 and 17 September and again on the morning of 17 September, according to local reports attributing the accounts to the civic committee following the case.

The new reports renew attention on the San Domenico area, where residents have complained about recurring odors. The committee says the episode shows the problem has continued despite the passing of a previously announced deadline for action.

Where the latest reports came from

The areas named in the reports include San Domenico, districts in northern Benevento, via Camerelle, contrada Ciofani and Pietrelcina.

The reports describe complaints received during the night and the following morning, rather than a single isolated episode. The specific observations are attributed to residents and the committee; the acquired reports do not provide instrumental odor measurements or laboratory results.

Health authority response: joint inspection proposed

According to the reports, the local health authority, the ASL, said it does not have specific equipment for measuring odors.

The ASL nevertheless expressed willingness to take part in a joint inspection with ARPAC, the regional environmental protection agency, and the Carabinieri Forestali. No acquired document confirms that the proposed joint inspection had taken place by 17 September.

The committee has asked for inspections to be carried out when odors are actually reported, so that checks correspond to the episodes described by residents.

The disputed point: outdoor organic materials

One central question raised by the committee concerns outdoor organic materials linked to the San Domenico site.

The committee questioned whether those materials had actually been removed after the previously announced deadline. The reports do not establish whether removal was completed, nor whether completion was verified by the municipality.

That uncertainty is important for readers: without confirmation of what was removed, when, and with what verification, it is not possible to assess why odors were still reported on 16–17 September.

What the committee is asking for

The committee has addressed the Prefecture of Benevento with a request to establish a permanent technical coordination table.

In practical terms, the request as reported includes:

  • A standing coordination table involving the relevant institutions and representatives of residents
  • Joint inspections with ARPAC and the Carabinieri Forestali
  • Checks conducted during reported odor episodes
  • Transparent communication of findings and results to the public

The committee is also seeking a meeting at the Prefecture level, presenting the permanent table as a way to avoid case-by-case responses and to track commitments over time.

What is not yet established

The confirmed technical cause of the odors is not established in the reports acquired for this article.

In particular, the reports do not independently verify the committee's observations, do not identify a confirmed source, and do not provide measured odor data. They attribute the claims and requests to the civic committee.

What happens next: 21 September council session

The committee planned to attend the Benevento municipal council session scheduled for 21 September.

An open council meeting on odors, environmental problems and reported alterations of the Calore river was listed as an agenda item for that session. The outcome of the discussion was not available in the documents acquired by 17 September.

For residents in Benevento Nord, San Domenico, contrada Ciofani, via Camerelle and Pietrelcina, the next verifiable steps to watch are whether the joint inspection takes place, whether the Prefecture responds to the request for a permanent table, and what is reported at the municipal council.