Bus carrying Pistoia basketball fans attacked after game in Rieti: driver killed

A tragic episode has shocked the Italian basketball community after a violent attack on a bus carrying Pistoia Basket fans from Rieti to Tuscany. One of the two drivers, a man seated next to the colleague at the wheel, was killed when a brick thrown by assailants smashed through the windshield and struck him in the head.

The incident occurred on the Rieti–Terni highway near the Contigliano exit on Saturday night, shortly after the end of the Serie A2 game between Pistoia Basket 2000 and Sebastiani Rieti. The bus, escorted by police until it left the city, was reportedly followed for several kilometers before being ambushed by a group of Rieti supporters who threw stones and bricks at the front of the vehicle.

Emergency responders attempted to revive the man, but he died shortly after the assault. Police and Carabinieri are now searching for those responsible.

Pistoia’s mayor, Alessandro Tomasi, expressed his condolences, calling the attack “a criminal act that leaves us speechless.” The Pistoia Basket club said it was “shocked by the senseless violence” and extended its sympathy to the victim’s family.

Florence mayor Sara Funaro also condemned the assault, describing it as “a blind and intolerable act of violence.” She said the city joins in mourning for the victim, who lived in Florence, and called for a swift investigation to identify those responsible. “This has nothing to do with the values of sport,” she added, “it is pure violence and must be condemned with the utmost firmness.”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned the incident, describing it as “an unacceptable and insane act of violence,” and said she trusted that those responsible “will be quickly brought to justice.”

According to early reconstructions, tensions had already flared during the match at Rieti’s PalaSojourner arena, where police intervened to separate rival fans at halftime.

The Pistoia supporters, about 50 in total, are safe but remain deeply shaken by the attack, which has reignited concern over violence in Italian sports.

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