Puglia crimewave points to emergence of 'fifth' Italian mafia

Previously dismissed mob is characterised by primitive' forms of brutality, say investigators

On 1 April, just as Italy was at the peak of its coronavirus crisis, a man in a protective face mask approached a residential home for vulnerable old people in Foggia in the southern region of Puglia. He was not coming to help residents, however, but rather to blow the home's doors off with an explosive device.

The incident, in which fortunately no one was injured, came as no surprise to the care home's owner, Luca Vigilante. He had only recently completed repairs following a bomb attack on the premises in January.