Nago-Torbole Marks 70th Anniversary of Marcinelle Tragedy

The municipal administration of Nago-Torbole has paid tribute to the victims of the Marcinelle tragedy, which occurred on 8 August 1956 at the Bois du Cazier coal mine in Belgium. A fire sparked by an error during lift operations killed 262 miners, including 136 Italians, marking a defining moment in the history of post-war Italian emigration.

Many Italian workers had left for better prospects under an agreement between Italy and Belgium that involved exchanging labor for coal. They found themselves working in harsh conditions without adequate safety guarantees, and the disaster affected not only the victims but also their families and entire communities. Today, the Bois du Cazier site is a UNESCO-recognized memorial, and 8 August is also Italy’s National Day of the Sacrifice of Italian Workers Abroad. Nago-Torbole marked the 70th anniversary of the tragedy.
Italian Version