TIRANA, 28 March. “The exodus of Albanians continues today, to stop this tragic phenomenon,” said President Ilir Meta recalling the tragedy of Otranto on March 28, 1997. Through a Facebook status, Meta commemorated the lives lost in trying to find a better future away from Albania.
The Tragedy of Otranto took place on 28 March 1997 when the Albanian ship Kateri i Radës sank in a collision with the Italian naval vessel Sibilla in the Strait of Otranto and at least 84 Albanians, aged 3 months to 69 years, lost their lives.
“On the 25th anniversary of the Otranto Tragedy, we remember with pain the lives lost in desperate efforts to find a better future away from Albania,” said President. According to him, unfortunately, although in other forms, the unstoppable exodus of Albanians is still going on today, at alarming rates, so much so that depopulation continues to be the biggest drama happening to the country.
“Let us make all the necessary efforts, with responsibility, patriotism and professionalism, to stop this tragic phenomenon and to give new opportunities, especially to young people, to build their secure future in the Homeland!” concluded Meta.
Relatives of the victims gathered at the place from where the boat set off for Italy in southern coast of Albania throwing flowers in seawaters. Some of them said on local TVs justice is not done for their beloved ones who got drowned into the Adriatic sea close to Italian shores.
/Argumentum.al
