The last farewell to Simone Ruggia, Claudio Marchesi, Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Laura Procacci was held this morning in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Also present were Mattarella and Meloni, with the presidents of the Senate and Chamber. Monsignor Saba in the homily: "The four soldiers were sowers of peace". The Minister of Defense: "They represented the desire, pride and joy of serving" their country
The funerals of the four soldiers who died in the crash of a Chinook helicopter in Bosnia are being celebrated in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli: the sergeants of the Army Aviation, Simone Ruggia and Claudio Marchesi, lieutenant Franco Adriano Zecchillo and sergeant Laura Procacci of the volunteer military corps of the Italian Red Cross. The head of state Sergio Mattarella was present and, as soon as he arrived at the church, he stopped to speak with the relatives of the victims and to offer his condolences. Also present were Prime Minister Meloni and the presidents of the Senate and Chamber, Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana. The Minister of Defense, Crosetto, spoke during the celebration, to remember that the four soldiers "have become a symbol of the desire, pride and joy of serving" their country.
Monsignor Saba: "The four military sowers of peace"
"We are invited to look at them as sowers of seeds of peace through the promotion of humanitarian aid, driven by the desire to promote solutions for the most fragile and to keep hope alive in populations exposed to aggression", said Monsignor Gian Franco Saba, military ordinary, during the homily during the funeral. "Simone, Claudio, Franco Adriano and Laura have understood that dedicating their lives for service is a foretaste of paradise, true wisdom - he underlined - they have understood that love for humanity in certain contexts requires dedication to train oneself to operate promptly and competently for the benefit of peace, of care among peoples, of healthcare intervention in possible critical and emergency situations. They have made their talents and skills available".
Helicopter crashed, the return of the bodies to Italy
Crosetto: "Today the State is here without divisions"
While Crosetto, in his speech, recalled that today "the united State is here without divisions, to pay homage to these four brothers. The Defense family is here, with their families". "The State", he reiterated, "bows to the victims". "They are the best Italy, and the best Italy must always be defended", he added. Then an anecdote: "On Friday I went to see the rest of the helicopter and I was accompanied by all the Bosnian authorities. When I arrived for departure they approached each other: there was a Muslim, an Orthodox and a Catholic. They have hated each other for generations. And they told me: 'We never manage to agree on anything, but we agreed in a second today. We will build a monument to remember these four guys'".
Yesterday the arrival of the bodies
Yesterday morning, November 2, the military plane that brought the bodies of the four soldiers back to Italy landed in Ciampino. The aircraft was welcomed at the Roman airport by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani and the Minister of Defence. The coffins, after receiving military honors and after the religious blessing, were then transferred to the Celio Military Hospital, to the funeral home.
The investigations
Meanwhile, efforts continue to understand what happened. Overall, three investigations have been launched into the accident, including that of the Bosnian authorities, which also caused the injury of 11 people who were on board the aircraft. Two proceedings are open in Rome, both against unknown persons. The military prosecutor's office proceeds for the military crime of negligent loss, while the ordinary prosecutor's office hypothesizes the crimes of negligent disaster, manslaughter and injuries. The investigative activity will focus in particular on the technical investigations on the helicopter wreckage and on the analysis of the black box, elements considered fundamental for reconstructing what happened in the moments preceding the crash. The Italian judicial offices will work in close collaboration with the commission of experts sent by the Defense to Bosnia to carry out a series of technical findings and listen to witnesses.
