An explosion late Thursday destroyed two cars belonging to the family of the Italian investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, outside his home in Pomezia, a town south of Rome.
In a social media post, Mr. Ranucci said the explosion had been caused by an explosive device placed under the cars. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy condemned the explosion and said it was aimed at intimidating Mr. Ranucci.
He posted a video on social media showing the wreckage of two cars parked on a street outside a black metal gate. Lights from an emergency vehicle were visible in the video, as well as an emergency worker in uniform.
Mr. Ranucci is known as the host of “Report,” an investigative program on the Italian public broadcasting channel Rai 3. In 2021, the Italian police placed him under protection because of an assassination plot by the ‘Ndrangheta, an Italian organized crime group. Around 20 Italian journalists who have investigated corruption and organized crime were under police protection this year, according to Reporters Without Borders, a group that monitors threats against journalists.
Investigations aired by “Report” focus on corruption, government mismanagement and political ties to the mafia. Last year, Fratelli d’Italia, Ms. Meloni’s party, sued Mr. Ranucci and “Report” for defamation over a segment that linked the party to the mafia.
Mr. Ranucci had announced on Sunday that a new season of the show will begin on Oct. 26 and cover topics including banks, wind power and health care.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured by the explosion. In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Mr. Ranucci said that he and his daughter had been at home when the explosion happened.
Francesca Regalado is a Times reporter covering breaking news.
Elisabetta Povoledo is a Times reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican and the culture of the region. She has been a journalist for 35 years.
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