An anomalous wave of poor weather hit southern Italy between 23 and 24 October 2005, including heavy rains that caused minor landslides and swelling in many rivers and streams.
A whole city district was isolated, while another flooded with mud, some of its road demolished by land movements caused by water.
Local officers organized a patrol to check conditions of the railway, and drove a service vehicle along part of the track, returning minutes before the disaster.
Between Acquaviva delle Fonti and Sannicandro stations, the ground beneath the railway was caught in a landslide, while part of the hill was brought into the valley by the water rolling down from the side.
Technicians of Ferrovie dello Stato acknowledged that only the high speed of the train allowed the convoy to escape the collapsing ground.