The Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, Michele Valensise, met today in Rome with Eritrean Ambassador Zemede Tekle regarding the tragic October 3rd shipwreck off Lampedusa.
Ambassador Valensise outlined the procedures under way for days now to identify the bodies, made especially complex by the circumstances of the events. The Secretary General explained local authorities’ efforts that included the transfer of the bodies and burial in various locations for health reasons. He confirmed Italy’s wish to pursue identification of the bodies and respect the wishes of the families of the victims regarding the final destination for the remains. He also spoke of the legal investigation under way and its related constraints.
Ambassador Tekle thanked the Italian government for its efforts and reiterated the Eritrean authorities’ hopes of being able to receive the remains of the victims identified, in compliance with Italian law.
