# Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vergarolla-massacre-80th-anniversary-commemorations > Updated: 2026-08-27T11:30:02.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 7. Commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre, which occurred on August 18, 1946, in Pula, have involved ceremonies in both Croatia and Italy. The tragedy, involving an explosion of underwater mines during a sporting event, resulted in approximately 100 deaths and over 200 injuries, many of whom were women and children. The event is considered a pivotal moment contributing to the mass exodus of Italians from the Istrian region. In Pula, ceremonies included a boat procession, wreath-laying at Vergarolla beach, and a Holy Mass at the Pula Cathedral. A recently updated monument, featuring the names of 64 identified victims, was blessed. Pula Mayor Peđa Grbin addressed the gathering, noting that the tragedy had previously been met with a ‘culture of forgetting’. Italian Ambassador Paolo Trichilo attended, emphasizing the importance of preserving memory and expressing hope that ‘remaining uncertainties surrounding the event might eventually be clarified.’ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the event as the ‘most serious and bloody massacre in the history of the Italian Republic,’ reiterating calls for truth regarding the unpunished perpetrators. She honored Dr. Geppino Micheletti, a physician who provided medical aid despite losing his own family in the blast. In Italy, the Comitato 10 Febbraio organized remembrance efforts, including an ‘ideal embrace’ with Pula through flower placements, and the inauguration of a memorial in Verbania. Additional commemorations included a cultural event in Pula titled ‘La memoria genera il futuro’ and the opening of an itinerant exhibition in Trieste titled ‘Pola, Ricordi – Vergarolla e le rotte della memoria’ to reconstruct the historical context of the tragedy. ## Claims - The Vergarolla massacre occurred on August 18, 1946, on a beach in Pola. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The massacre took place while civilians were attending a sporting event. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Seeking the truth is the essential way to honor the victims of the Vergarolla massacre. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The perpetrators and masterminds of the Vergarolla massacre have never been identified. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The event contributed to the mass exodus of Italians from Pola. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Geppino Micheletti was a doctor who treated the wounded despite losing his own family members in the attack. (corroborated by 5 sources) - President Mattarella awarded Geppino Micheletti the Gold Medal for Merit in Public Health. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The massacre resulted in approximately 100 deaths and over 100 injuries. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Trieste hosts exhibition commemorating Vergarolla tragedy The ‘Pola, Ricordi’ exhibition has opened in Trieste, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla tragedy and the historical context of the Istrian exodus. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trieste-hosts-exhibition-commemorating-vergarolla-tragedy ### 2026-08-19: Cultural commemorations and festivals held in Italy and Croatia Cultural events in Italy and Croatia mark significant milestones: the announcement of the Medea festival in Nusco and the 80th anniversary commemoration of the Vergarolla massacre in Pola. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cultural-commemorations-and-festivals-held-in-italy-and-croatia ### 2026-08-19: Italian Ambassador attends Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary in Pula Italian Ambassador Paolo Trichilo joined authorities in Pula to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre, honoring victims and emphasizing historical memory and bilateral cooperation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-ambassador-attends-vergarolla-massacre-80th-anniversary-in-pula ### 2026-08-18: Pula commemorates 80th anniversary of Vergarola tragedy Pula commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Vergarola tragedy, unveiling a new monument inscribed with the names of the 64 victims killed in a 1946 underwater mine explosion. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pula-commemorates-80th-anniversary-of-vergarola-tragedy ### 2026-08-18: Comitato 10 Febbraio marks 80th anniversary of Vergarolla massacre The Comitato 10 Febbraio marks the 80th anniversary of the 1946 Vergarolla massacre in Pola with nationwide commemorations and the inauguration of a new memorial in Verbania. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santarcangelo-di-romagna-sees-high-ferragosto-tourism-and-festival-attendance ### 2026-08-18: Vergarolla massacre: Meloni calls for truth on 80th anniversary Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for justice and truth regarding the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre in Pola, a 1946 attack that killed approximately 100 people. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vergarolla-massacre-meloni-calls-for-truth-regarding-1946-pola-killings ### 2026-08-15: Vergarolla massacre commemorations mark 80th anniversary Authorities in Pula and Pescara are organizing commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre, honoring the victims of the 1946 explosion in Istria. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vergarolla-massacre-commemorations-mark-80th-anniversary --- Cite as: Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vergarolla-massacre-80th-anniversary-commemorations