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Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations

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2026-08-20 15:18 UTC → 2026-08-28 06:32 UTC · added removed

Commemorations are being held to mark for the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre, which occurred on August 18, 1946, in Pula. 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 include included a boat procession, wreath-laying at Vergarolla beach, and a Holy Mass held in at the Pula Cathedral conducted in Italian. Cathedral. A recently updated monument, which includes featuring the names of 64 identified victims to ensure they are no longer remembered anonymously, victims, was also blessed. Pula Mayor Peđa Grbin addressed the gathering, noting that the tragedy had previously been met with a ‘culture of forgetting’ by society. On forgetting’. Italian Ambassador Paolo Trichilo attended, emphasizing the 80th anniversary, importance of preserving memory and expressing hope that ‘remaining uncertainties surrounding the event might eventually be clarified.’ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated her call for the truth regarding the perpetrators and motives, noting that the crime remains unpunished. She described the event as the ‘most serious and bloody massacre in the history of the Italian Republic.’ Meloni also Republic,’ reiterating calls for truth regarding the unpunished perpetrators. She honored Dr. Geppino Micheletti, a physician who provided medical aid to victims despite losing his own family in the blast. In Italy, the Comitato 10 Febbraio organized remembrance efforts, including placing flowers at symbolic locations to create an ‘ideal embrace’ with Pula. Additionally, a new memorial was inaugurated in Verbania to honor the victims. Italian Ambassador to Croatia, Paolo Trichilo, attended the ceremonies Pula through flower placements, and emphasized the importance of preserving the memory inauguration of the massacre, expressing hope that the ‘remaining uncertainties surrounding the event might eventually be clarified.’ Following the primary ceremonies, the Italian community a memorial in Pula held 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 commemorate reconstruct the anniversary. historical context of the tragedy.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-28 06:32 UTC Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations
  2. 2026-08-20 15:18 UTC Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations
  3. 2026-08-20 06:30 UTC Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations
  4. 2026-08-19 13:26 UTC Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations
  5. 2026-08-19 09:31 UTC Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations
  6. 2026-08-18 18:35 UTC Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations
  7. 2026-08-18 12:07 UTC Vergarolla massacre 80th anniversary commemorations

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