Residents of an apartment building in Vermin, Italy, were placed under a lockdown on Sunday, August 2, 2026, after the structure became infested with venomous spiders, according to ComingSoon.it.
The Italian news outlet reported that the building was sealed off to contain the arachnid threat. The lockdown was implemented as a precautionary measure, though ComingSoon.it’s report did not specify how many people were affected or how long the restriction was expected to last.
The incident in Vermin is drawing attention partly because of its connection to a horror film of the same name. The movie, directed by Sébastien Vaniček, is set to air on the Italian network Rai 4 later that evening, as noted in a separate report from movieplayer.it. The film, which also deals with a spider-related threat, was scheduled for broadcast at the time the infestation news broke.
ComingSoon.it’s coverage of the real-world lockdown did not include details on the spider species involved, whether anyone was bitten, or what steps authorities planned to take to clear the building. The outlet’s headline warned arachnophobes to stay away from the story.
The coincidence of a real spider emergency occurring on the same day a spider-themed horror movie airs on national television has added a layer of irony to the situation, though the two events are unrelated.
Viewers in Italy can catch Vaniček’s film on Rai 4 later tonight, while authorities in Vermin work to resolve the infestation.
