In relation to the serious incident that occurred on Saturday, 1 August, in Lula (Nuoro), involving two researchers from the National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), we, the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) and the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), wish to express our full solidarity and deepest support to our colleagues affected and to INGV. These sentiments are shared by the Minister for University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, who is closely following developments in the case.
While placing our trust in the competent authorities to clarify as soon as possible the circumstances and motives behind this serious act, the INFN and INAF communities wish to reaffirm their shared commitment to working together in support of research for the benefit of society.
By its very nature, research is a space of freedom, openness, dialogue, and respect. These are the values in which we believe, both as scientists and as citizens. They are also the values that we have consistently sought and found in our relationship with the regions where we work, where we have always encountered attention, openness, and hospitality from local communities and institutions. Over the years, we have built relationships founded on open dialogue, mutual trust, and mutual respect. For this reason, we are convinced that what happened does not reflect the views or the feelings of the people of Lula, who have always welcomed our research communities and our work with a deep sense of responsibility, active engagement, and a genuine spirit of cooperation.
INFN and INAF renew their solidarity with their colleagues at INGV and reaffirm that the sharing of knowledge is the foundation of every civil society and of all genuine progress, because everything that stems from research is a shared heritage and a public good that benefits everyone.
