(ANSA) - ZAGABRIA, AUG 19 - The Italian Ambassador to Croatia, Paolo Trichilo, accompanied by the Consul General in Rijeka, Iva Palmieri, and the Honorary Consul, Tiziano Sošić, traveled to Pula to participate in the commemoration organized by city authorities, with the support of the Embassy, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre. The explosion of military ordnance on Vergarolla Beach on August 18, 1946—under circumstances that remain unclear—resulted in the deaths of over 100 Italians, of whom only 64 were identified. The program included the throwing of wreaths into the sea from a boat off the beach (now a restricted military zone), Holy Mass at Pula Cathedral, and the blessing of the new memorial stone bearing the names of the 64 identified victims. In his remarks (the only ones, along with those of the Mayor of Pula), the Ambassador—citing the statement from the Prime Minister—emphasized the importance of keeping alive the memory of the massacre, which is inextricably linked to the history of the Exodus, and expressed the hope that in the future, light might be shed on the remaining uncertainties surrounding the event. At the same time, we must look to the future, especially in a context where Italy and Croatia are friendly nations, both members of the EU. The Ambassador then expressed his appreciation for the prominent role played by the City of Pula in organizing the ceremony and for its collaborative approach toward the exiles, expressing the hope that this positive trajectory would continue, marked also by progress in the field of historiography. After wreaths were laid at the memorial—including those from the Embassy in Zagreb and the Consulate General in Rijeka—an exhibition was inaugurated, organized by the IRCI in Trieste (Regional Institute for Istrian-Rijeka-Dalmatian Culture), with the support of the Embassy, dedicated to the Italian physician Geppino Micheletti and the rescue efforts carried out after the Vergarolla massacre. The Ambassador reiterated his hope that this extraordinary figure will be granted official recognition in Pula. Finally, he took part in an event organized by the Italian Community of Pula. (ANSA).