President Sergio Mattarella on
Tuesday marked the anniversary of the 1956 Bois du Cazier mine
disaster in Marcinelle, Belgium, linking it to the suffering of
today's migrants.
The colliery fire claimed the lives of 262 people, including
136 Italian migrant workers.
"Generations of Italians have gone through the difficult
experience of emigration," the head of State said.
"They suffered due to the separation from their families,
they faced tough work conditions and sought full integration in
the host society,
"This is a reason to reflect on those who today seek in Italy
the opportunities that we found in other countries and it calls
for the attention and coherent strategies of the European
Union".
The comments did not go down well in all quarters.
"Mattarella compares (dead) Italian emigrants around the
world to illegal immigrants maintained in Italy to cause
trouble? Shame on him!," Northern League leader Matteo Salvini
said on Facebook.
"Mattarella does not speak in my name. #STOPINVASION".
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