(25 May 2016) A day to remember. A “dip” in the past to reflect on the present in the heart of the mine that has now become the scene of one of the worst massacres in the mining world. A delegation of Italian MEPs visited the Bois du Cazier mine site, in Marcinelle yesterday, Tuesday, May 24. Organised by the Italian Embassy to Belgium and the Permanent Representatives to the EU and NATO, the day – communicated by Francesca Palombo, from communications office of the Italian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce – is part of the 70 anniversary celebrations of the signing of the Italian-Belgian treaties, which were the origin of the movement of tens of thousands of Italian workers to the Belgian coal mines, and the 60th anniversary of the Marcinelle tragedy, when, on August 8 of 1956 , a fire claimed the lives of 262 miners of 12 different nationalities, including 136 Italians and 95 Belgians. After a welcoming address by the Italian Ambassador, Vincenzo Grassi and the President of the Vallonie Region Paul Magnette, MEPs visited the site led by former miners of the same Bois du Cazier. The event was also attended by representatives of the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce, the Italian consuls in Belgium and other authorities. (Red)
A Bois du Cazier not to forget, visiting Italian MEPs
