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29th anniversary of the Otranto Tragedy/ 81 victims remembered, minister breaks down in tears

2026-03-28 14:02:00, Aktualitet CNA

29th anniversary of the Otranto Tragedy/ 81 victims remembered, minister breaks

Homage was held this Saturday in the city of Vlora in memory of the victims who lost their lives in the Otranto Channel. 

Today marks the 29th anniversary of the Otranto Tragedy, one of the most serious events in the country's history.

The memorial ceremony was attended by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations, Erjona Ismaili, who was also the organizer of the event, as well as the Mayor of Vlora, Brunilda Mersini, representatives of local and central government, MPs and family members of the victims.

Many citizens gathered near the coast to honor the memory of the 81 people who lost their lives in this tragedy.

At the initiative of Minister Ismaili, 81 chairs placed by the sea symbolized the lives lost, while the throwing of flowers into the sea served as a silent homage.

During her speech, Ismaili stated that this event remains an open wound for the city and the entire country, emphasizing the importance of memory and annual commemoration to avoid the recurrence of such tragedies.

On the other hand, the victims' families expressed their pain and disappointment, describing the event as avoidable and emphasizing that they continue to face serious psychological consequences. According to them, the decisions given by the Italian justice system have not fully reflected the truth and have been unfair.

The Otranto tragedy occurred on March 28, 1997, when an Albanian ship collided and capsized in the Otranto Channel during an Italian naval operation, causing the loss of life of 81 people, including children./ CNA





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