In Crotone today, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi spoke and confirmed that the State will do everything in its power to compensate the victims of the shipwreck that occurred in Steccato di Cutro on February 26th, resulting in 94 deaths. He emphasized that this is a formal exception made in judicial contexts but the State will not ignore the situation and will take action to help those affected by the tragedy.

Piantedosi’s statement came in contrast to what was revealed in the trial against three smugglers of the shipwrecked gulet. During this trial, it was brought to light that the Guarantee fund for road victims also compensates victims of nautical accidents and appeared in court to argue against being sued as civilly liable. The fund’s request for exclusion from the trial was based on the argument that the wrecked vessel had not been used for pleasure or public transport and therefore should not be subject to insurance code regulations. The court reserved its decision on this request. The fund is represented by senator Giulia Bongiorno of La Lega.

Piantedosi’s statement can be seen as a commitment from the State to provide support and compensation to those affected by this tragic disaster.