Il President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella went to Crotone to pay homage to the victims of the shipwreck of 26 February. The head of state also visited the children who survived the massacre in the hospital. Mattarella also lingered with the survivors in the funeral home set up at the Palamilone in Crotone.
Mattarella in Crotone
After visiting the survivors in hospital, Mattarella paid tribute to the victims. He remained in recollection in front of the coffins lined up in the center of the sports hall; he stood alone, in silence, in front of the coffins for a few minutes. Many applauses that the citizens reserved for the president invoking "justice and truth" for the terrible massacre that took place at dawn last Sunday on the coast of Picket fence of Cutro. The relatives of the deceased have asked for help in recovering the missing and assistance for the survivors, Mattarella has assured full support for the refugees, guaranteeing that he will take care of the situation. The head of state reiterated that Afghans are asylum seekers and their situation is a priority. The most pressing request addressed to the president was that of help in the repatriation of the bodies and support for those who survived.
Mattarella visited the 15 survivors, including many children, in the Crotone hospital. The president's arrival was preceded by some packages containing toys delivered to the small surviving patients in the pediatric ward. Many gifts including soft toys, pianolas and small remote-controlled robots. "President, don't abandon us, don't abandon this earth", this was the cry that was raised when Mattarella left the hospital.
The shipwreck, sad story of our days
The shipwreck of the boat that left from Turkey has caused the confirmed death, at the moment, of 67 people including women and children. The Prosecutor of Crotone asked the Coast Guard and the Finance Police for the documents relating to their activity in the hours preceding the shipwreck. The new file concerning the rescue chain has been opened without the hypothesis of a crime and against unknown persons. The survivors are housed in the reception center of Isola Capo Rizzuto, to take care of them cultural mediators, volunteers of the Red Cross, and social workers. Among these a team of psychologists who have the thankless task of supporting the survivors in this phase of great pain and suffering for the loss of their loved ones in the umpteenth tragedy of the sea.
(Photo quirinale.it)
