Rob in Italy - SPECIAL EDITION

Small Plane Crashes into Building in Milan (day 14)

18-April-2002 (Thursday) [6:20PM]: Today at 5:50PM (8:50AM in California), a small plane crashed into a government building a short distance from my apartment. I am fine, as is Michael, and everyone we know. You can read all about it here at CNN. I may have pictures tomorrow... For now, it doesn't appear to be causing a huge impact on life, and people are still meeting for drinks, etc.

[11:45PM]: Michael and I just finished having dinner with Claudio, who was doing contract work with Gillette in the building immediately next door to the Pirelli building. Like most Italians, he's fairly relaxed about it all, although he actually heard the sound of the plane's engine, and commented that it sounded "very wrong." Next, he says he heard the impact, felt the explosion, and their own building shook as if it had been hit. His company immediately sent everyone home. Milan's central train station is still completely closed. He ordered a large beer and a selection of typical Milanese meats and cheeses, and within minutes was ready to talk shop (information technology). What a world.

Below are some pictures I took just before meeting Caludio and Michael this evening... A few more are here.

< -- April 17 what is this? April 19 -->