40 years have passed since the fire in Curraggia, the area between Tempio Pausania, Aggius and Bortigiadas, where the flames destroyed over 18,000 hectares of land and caused the death of several people.
On the occasion of the anniversary of that tragedy, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella sent a message to the mayor of Tempio Pausania: «Tragic events such as those that occurred on the Curragghja hill must lead everyone to reflect on the need to respect the environment and nature: precious resource and wealth of Sardinia and of the entire country, to be rigorously protected, through a constant commitment to care for the territory and targeted prevention actions".
"40 years have passed since the tragic 28 July 1983, the day in which a fire of violence and unusual proportions caused the Curragghja massacre, causing the death of 9 people and wounding 15 others", writes the head of state again. «The event has profoundly marked the history of the city of Tempio Pausania and of the island, causing mourning and pain to the families of those who fell in the last attempt to prevent the fire from reaching the inhabited centre. Members of the State Forestry Corps and volunteers sacrificed their lives to defend the common good: a heroic example of altruism for the younger generations". "To the population of Tempio Pausania, to the families of the victims, to all the participants in the commemoration, I send a heartfelt greeting in memory of that event", he concludes.
There were so many volunteers that day trying to put out the flames. Rescuers had come from all over the island.
Nine were the dead: Diego Falchi, 43, marshal of the Forestry Corps; Tonuccio Fara, 36 years old, bricklayer; Mario Ghisu, 35, forestry worker; Luigi (Gigi) Maisto, 24, textile worker; Silvestro Manconi, 44 years old, bricklayer; Tonino Manconi, 50, former municipal secretary of Aggius and Bortigiadas; Claudio Migali, 37 years old, traffic policeman; Salvatore Pala, 40, Marshal of the Forestry Corps; Sebastiano (Nino) Visicale, 32 years old, employee. They were awarded the gold medal for civil valor by President Giorgio Napolitano in 2007.
15 instead the wounded.
(Unioneonline/ss)