World · Europe · 12 hrs ago
Marche quake rebuilding advances as probe examines alleged corruption
The 2016 earthquakes devastated parts of central Italy, including the Marche region, and rebuilding is still under way a decade later.
In the Marche, 9,024 private projects are complete and 5,534 remain in progress, according to regional figures.
A separate investigation by anti-mafia prosecutors in Ancona has led to eight arrests and 51 people under investigation over suspected rigged public contracts and criminal infiltration of private rebuilding subcontractors.
The allegations involve suspected links to the ‘Ndrangheta and Camorra, and those under investigation have not been convicted.
The inquiry has not stopped the building sites involved, but it has raised questions about oversight and protections for legitimate businesses.
Public rebuilding is also continuing, with 21% of 1,872 planned projects reported complete and 20% under way.
Private rebuilding in Italy’s Marche region has completed 9,024 worksites, or 62% of the total, while 5,534 remain underway.
A major investigation by the Ancona anti-mafia prosecutor’s office has led to eight arrests, 51 people under investigation and €57 million in seizures.
The probe examines alleged manipulation of public contracts and possible organised-crime infiltration in private rebuilding subcontracting; the allegations have not been established.
The investigation has not stopped the worksites under scrutiny, but has raised questions about oversight and safeguards.
A regional report says €6.14 billion of the €8.99 billion in grants awarded for housing repairs has been paid out.
- Who
- The Marche region’s post-earthquake rebuilding effort and people involved in the Ancona investigation. Eight people have been arrested and 51 are under investigation.
- What
- Private rebuilding has advanced, while a probe examines alleged contract manipulation and organised-crime infiltration.
- When
- The figures were reported on October 26, 2026, ten years after the first major 2016 earthquakes.
- Where
- The Marche region, in central Italy.
- Why
- Rebuilding is underway following the 2016 earthquakes. The investigation concerns alleged corruption and organised-crime influence in rebuilding contracts and subcontracting.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A major earthquake struck near Amatrice, and the seismic sequence began.
Further earthquakes struck near Castelsantangelo sul Nera, Ussita and Visso.
A larger earthquake struck near Norcia in Umbria.
RaiNews reported that private rebuilding had passed 60% and that the investigation was weighing on the effort.
ANSA reported the latest Marche rebuilding figures and details of the investigation.
- Completed private worksites
- 9,024, or 62% of the total
- Private worksites still underway
- 5,534
- Investigation
- 8 arrests, 51 people under investigation and €57 million in seizures
- Housing grants requested
- €12.06 billion
- Grants awarded
- €8.99 billion
- Grants paid
- €6.14 billion, or 68% of the awarded amount
3 sources
What people are saying
We will protect the earthquake victims
Private rebuilding is going fast and the orders of the last two commissioners, the previous Giovanni Legnini and the current senator Castelli, have given a very important push to rebuilding.
But there is no strategy for the regeneration of the territory.