Mattarella attends the commemoration of the train disaster in Andria. The mayor: “There are specific responsibilities”
Ten years ago, on 12 July 2016, the tragedy that took place between Andria and Corato, in which 23 people died and a further 51 were injured
Key points
A minute’s silence, followed by 23 tolls of the bell and the reading out of the 23 names of the victims: this took place at 11.05, the time of the collision between the two Ferrotramviaria trains on 12 July 2016 on the single-track Andria–Corato line, during the ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the tragedy, attended by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. The ceremony, which took place in the square in front of the railway station, was also attended by the families of the victims and the injured (51 people). Mattarella’s presence ‘is important’ because ‘the President represents everyone’, said Tiziana Tedone, sister of Francesco, who died aged 17 in the collision, before the ceremony. The accident occurred on the single-track, alternating-direction Andria–Corato line, which was operated under concession by Ferrotramviaria and, at the time of the incident, managed using a telephone block system. Here, two trains collided head-on due to ‘human error’, as established by the judgments of the courts of first and second instance.
Decaro: ‘The atrocities and the disaster remain etched in my mind and before my eyes’
‘The horror of that disaster 10 years ago remains in everyone’s minds and before everyone’s eyes. The President of the Republic’s presence here today demonstrates his great sensitivity and his special concern for this region and its people. Whilst the victims’ families must carry that pain with them, it is also up to us to draw strength and look with confidence to the future of this region, in the hope that it may move forward on a path that looks to the future, to modernity and to safety, a journey we must undertake and which must leave no citizen behind; a journey that must proceed without the risk of losing one’s life, whilst looking ahead to the future of our region, our people and, above all, the younger generations.” These were the words of the President of the Puglia Region, Antonio Decaro, speaking in Andria before the start of the commemoration marking the 10th anniversary of the train disaster of 12 July 2016 on the single-track section between Andria and Corato.
Mayor of Andria: there are clear responsibilities for the rail tragedy
“Squares, plaques, statues and signs” dedicated to the victims “do not make up for 10 years of absence. They do not bring back faces or embraces. Because 23 people do not die by chance; they die because of negligence. Clear-cut.” These were the words of the Mayor of Andria, Giovanna Bruno, in her speech delivered during the ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the rail tragedy. “Let us play our small part, alongside you, with discretion and dignity, by raising public awareness. For a past that we certainly cannot rewrite or change, but for a future that we certainly cannot afford to betray by forgetting,’ added the mayor, recalling that ‘Andria has established a Day of Remembrance for 12 July 2016 and has asked the Puglia Region to do the same’, but ‘we are asking for more: a national law, starting right here, with all of us, to unite the country in this duty of remembrance. We are working on it. These deaths – Bruno reiterated – weigh heavily on our consciences, then as now. And they must haunt us, along with the stories of the injured, whenever we as institutions make decisions: they must be the breath on our necks. Always, always’. “And you, Mr President, were there 10 years ago, with the whole country in your eyes, in your presence, in your deeply moved participation. And you are here today, a precious gift, offering care and attention, a gentle touch and an embrace. Italia, with you here by our side, is pausing once more: silent, stunned, in pain. Thank you,” he said, addressing the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella.
