21.10.2025 10:40
A great tragedy occurred following the Sebastiani Rieti – Pistoia match played in the Italian 2nd Basketball League. As a result of a stone attack by Rieti fans on the Pistoia bus returning from the away game, the vehicle's second driver lost his life. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted strongly to the incident.
The match between Sebastiani Rieti and Pistoia, played in the sixth week of the Italian 2nd Basketball League (Serie A2), ended with the guest team's victory of 88-73. However, the incident that occurred after the match overshadowed the victory and shook the country's sports agenda.
ATTACK ON THE RETURN FROM AWAY GAME
After the match played in the city of Rieti, Pistoia fans who boarded their bus on the way back were attacked with stones by the home team's hooligans at the city exit. According to a report by Rai Radio 1, the bus, which set off under police escort, was pelted with stones shortly after crossing the borders of Rieti.
One of the stones thrown during the attack broke the bus window and hit the second driver. The severely injured driver passed away despite all medical interventions.
STRONG REACTION FROM PISTOIA CLUB AND MELONI
Following the tragedy, the Pistoia Basket club condemned the attack in a message published on its official website, expressing strong disapproval and extending condolences to the family of the deceased driver.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her deep sorrow in a statement on her social media account, saying, "Words fail in the face of this terrible news. The attack on the Pistoia Basket fans' bus and the loss of the bus driver is unacceptable. This is an act of insane violence. I extend my condolences to the victim's family. I believe that the perpetrators of the attack will be identified and justice will be served."
A WIDESPREAD INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED
It has been reported that Italian security forces have launched a comprehensive investigation to identify those responsible for the incident. While it is claimed that the attack was carried out by an organized group of fans, the sports community reacted to the violent incident.