The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Giorgio Silli, today led the Italian delegation at the commemoration of the Marcinelle mining tragedy in Belgium, held on the occasion of the twenty-fourth “National Day of Sacrifice of Italian Workers in the World”.
The ceremony took place at the Bois du Cazier, the site of the disaster where, on 8 August 1956, 262 miners of twelve different nationalities lost their lives – including 136 Italians, many of them originally from the Abruzzo region.
During the ceremony, Undersecretary Silli delivered the message of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, highlighting the importance of remembrance and the value of the sacrifice made by Italian workers abroad – a powerful reminder of the need to protect workplace safety and the dignity of labour.
“The tragedy of Marcinelle,” stated Undersecretary Silli in his message, “forms part of our shared history, which strengthens the bond between Italy and Belgium – between our peoples and our institutions”. “It is from this shared memory,” he concluded, “that we must build a more just and more united European Union – one that values diversity and protects the rights of all”.