In Crotone today, the Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, assured 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. The shipwreck resulted in 94 victims. The Minister emphasized that this is a formal fact and one of those procedural exceptions made in judicial contexts. However, he stated that the State will not turn a blind eye to the situation and will take its part to help the victims.

Piantedosi’s statement was made in contrast to what came to light during the trial against three smugglers of the shipwrecked gulet. The Guarantee Fund for road victims appeared in court and opposed being sued as civilly liable. The Fund argued that the wrecked vessel had not been used for pleasure or public transport, and therefore should not be subject to the insurance code that also regulates the intervention of the guarantee fund for road victims. The court reserved its decision on this request for exclusion. The Fund was represented by lawyer Giulia Bongiorno, senator of Lega.

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