«The deaths, the innocent blood, the terror caused by the bomb that was detonated on the rapid train 904, shocked Christmas 1984 and still constitute an indelible laceration in the civil conscience of our country. It was a cowardly and merciless attack, a subversive attack on the Republic and on democratic coexistence ». This was underlined by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, on the 37th anniversary of the massacre of the 904 rapid train.
The Christmas bombing on December 23, 1984
The terrorist-mafia attack, also known as the Christmas massacre, took place on December 23, 1984 in the great tunnel of the Apennines, immediately after the Vernio station, where the rapid train 904, coming from Naples, was traveling towards Milan. The train had many travelers on board returning home for the holidays. The explosion left 15 dead and 267 injured. The victims then rose to 16 due to the aftermath of the attack. In memory of the victims, a brief moment of commemoration in a restricted form is planned, in compliance with the anti Covid regulations, at 12.45 at platform 11 of the central station of Naples, in the presence of the mayor Gaetano Manfredi. A similar initiative will take place in San Benedetto Val di Sambro, where first aid was given to the wounded.
Behind every victim, stories, passions, broken aspirations
“Behind each of those 16 victims and those 267 wounded there are stories, dreams, passions, aspirations, thirst for the future. It seems absurd to talk about the future when remembering. It would be – underlined Rosaria Manzo, president of the association that brings together the families of the victims of the massacre – if this remained a mere ritual, almost a habit. It has never been like this for us. For us, memory is also the future because it serves to give meaning to the lives broken and irremediably marked by that heinous massacre, to the years not lived by our loved ones that we all try to fill with contents, to be made known in a particular way to young people who 37 years ago they weren’t even born ».
Three children also died in the tragedy
In his statement, the head of state recalled that “Italian citizens lost their lives when they moved to spend the holidays with their families. Three children also died, Giovanni, Anna and Federica. Many were injured due to the violent explosion inside the tunnel between the stations of Vernio and San Benedetto Val di Sambro. Rescue, provided by people who were themselves injured, managed to save other human lives. Dramatic were the hours of anguish and fear for the hundreds of travelers who crowded the convoy ».
Reaffirm constitutional values in the face of destabilization strategies
President Mattarella renewed his “closeness and solidarity to the families of the victims and to those who have been forced to suffer the consequences of so much barbarism over time, it is necessary to convey to the youngest the memory of the dramatic events that have marked our history and of the response unitary, of the people, which made it possible to defend and reaffirm constitutional values in the face of destabilization strategies ».