Italy and Belgium hold conferences marking 70th anniversary of Marcinelle mining disaster

On 4 August 2024, the Sala Europa of the Aurum in Pescara, Italy, hosted the “Oltre la miniera” conference to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 8 August 1956 fire at the Bois du Cazier mine in Marcinelle, Belgium. The tragedy claimed 262 lives, including 136 Italian workers, 60 of them from Abruzzo. Organized by regional labour assessor Tiziana Magnacca, the event gathered representatives from the Abruzzo region, local municipalities, the Belgian embassy, universities, chambers of commerce, trade unions and cultural organisations. It linked the historical memory of the disaster to current issues of workplace safety, energy transition and professional mobility.

A second conference, “L’Europa del lavoro, dei popoli, della dignità”, is scheduled for 7 August in Charleroi, Belgium. Promoted by the Fratelli d’Italia‑ECR delegation to the European Parliament, the meeting aims to honour the victims and push for the recognition of 8 August as a European Day of remembrance for work‑place accidents. Speakers include Carlo Fidanza (Fratelli d’Italia‑ECR leader), Belgian MEP Kris Van Dijck, Italian Senate president Ignazio La Russa, labour minister Marina Calderone and ambassador Federica Favi. Both gatherings stress the need for stronger safety standards to prevent future tragedies.