A man was detained by police after a violent disturbance in Martina Franca left several people injured and a vehicle damaged, amid growing concerns over disorder in the southern Italian town.
A Ghanaian man living in Martina Franca was taken into custody on September 5 after a disturbance in the centre of the southern Italian town involving attacks on people and vehicles. The incident unfolded behind the Palazzo Ducale, where the man was reportedly seen carrying a metal bar and behaving in an apparently altered or intoxicated state. Several people were hurt during the episode, while Carabinieri officers and emergency medical personnel were called to the scene.
According to local reporting, the man had allegedly taken a purse from a 70-year-old woman earlier that morning. She was among those injured, suffering trauma to her hand, while another person was reportedly bitten. Other injuries included problems affecting a knee and wrist.
The confrontation later escalated around vehicles in the historic centre.
One driver was reportedly struck while she was inside her moving car. The impact caused damage to the driver’s-side window and left the woman with a minor injury to her left arm.
Carabinieri officers eventually intervened and brought the situation under control. Italy’s 118 emergency medical service also attended because of the man’s condition.
He was subsequently taken to hospital and placed under psychiatric evaluation, with authorities examining whether his behaviour was connected to possible substance use or another altered state.
Mayor had already called for stronger action
The latest incident comes just days after Martina Franca mayor Gianfranco Palmisano contacted the prefect of Taranto and the provincial police chief to request stronger measures following a series of disturbances in the town’s historic centre.
Palmisano had highlighted particular concern about incidents taking place during the day, when the area can be busy with both local residents and tourists from Italy and abroad.
The mayor has described Martina Franca as a traditionally welcoming city and argued that conduct threatening public safety or damaging the town’s reputation should not be allowed to become normalised.
Authorities have also indicated that they are paying close attention to developments in the centre to prevent a succession of isolated disturbances from developing into a wider and recurring problem.
Recent disturbances add to concerns
The September 5 episode follows several confrontations reported in Martina Franca during late August.
Local reports described disputes in the historic centre, including altercations involving business owners that were reportedly witnessed by tourists.
There have also been reports of vehicles being damaged with a metal bar in another disturbance involving an apparently intoxicated or otherwise altered individual.
Against that backdrop, the latest incident is likely to intensify calls for a stronger police presence and preventative measures in the town centre, particularly in areas heavily used by residents and visitors.
Videos appearing to show the street confrontation have also circulated online, drawing attention to the incident and the intervention of people at the scene before police brought the situation under control.
