Italy commemorates 63 years since the Vajont disaster

Italy marks the 63rd anniversary of the Vajont disaster, a catastrophe that occurred on October 9, 1963, resulting in the deaths of nearly 2,000 people and the destruction of towns including Longarone, Erto, and Casso.

Italian political leaders, including Senate President Ignazio La Russa and Chamber of Deputies President Lorenzo Fontana, issued tributes to the victims and survivors. La Russa emphasized the responsibility to maintain the memory of the event as a civil heritage to prevent future tragedies, while Fontana offered prayers for the victims, noting many were children.

Regional Councilor Serena Pellegrino has drawn parallels between the historical tragedy and contemporary environmental policies. She characterized the disaster as a consequence of prioritizing profit over safety and ecosystem respect, warning that modern political decisions in Rome and Trieste regarding land exploitation and deregulation may still be ignoring the lessons learned from the Vajont event.