Pain and anger. Perhaps even more than in 2024, the second anniversary of the Cutro tragedy --the shipwreck of the fishing vessel 'Summer Love', overloaded with migrants, which resulted in at least 94 deaths, including 35 minors, as well as about ten missing persons -- has reopened a still-bleeding wound, deepening the distress of the victims' families.

The despair over what happened two years ago was evident on the faces of those attending the prayer vigil held at 4 am on February 26, coinciding with the exact time of the tragedy.

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Opposition's persistence and CEI's apologies

Among those present was Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein, accompanied by several parliamentarians and local party officials from Calabria.

The long-standing controversy over the lack of answers regarding the causes of the shipwreck once again took center stage with heightened intensity.

"There is a political question that remains unanswered for the victims and their families: Why were no rescue efforts deployed? Why weren't adequate means sent to save the boat carrying the migrants? And why didn't the Coast Guard intervene as it should have? We will continue to insist on obtaining truth and justice," Schlein stated.

A strong statement also came from Monsignor Francesco Savino, Bishop of Cassano allo Ionio and Vice President of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), who was also present at the vigil. He offered heartfelt apologies to the victims' families.

"I am certain that history is teaching us nothing," he declared."We are turning back the clock to the darkest times. When I hear talk of deportation today, when I see images of brothers and sisters in chains, I ask myself: How did we get here? Has the banality of evil taught us nothing?"

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Syrian relative of Ali: 'Government must keep its promises'

Retired Admiral Vittorio Alessandro, former spokesperson for the General Command of the Port Authorities, expressed his belief that "the Cutro tragedy was not an accident but the result of overlapping senseless regulations on an otherwise exceptional rescue framework. Some events become inevitable when dangerous mechanisms are set in motion."

Another desperate plea came from Farzaneh Maleki, a young Syrian woman living in Germany who lost several family members in the shipwreck, including Asif, a newborn who was the youngest victim. "I ask Prime Minister Meloni to keep the promise she made after the tragedy, allowing survivors and victims' relatives to reunite with their family members living in Europe," Maleki said.

"My plea to the Italian government is also to stop treating migrants with indifference. We are all human beings," she concluded.

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