On March 26, 2023, under the auspices of the Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome, a Memorial Ceremony titled “The incurable Wound in the Waters of Cutro, Crotone” was held at the Embassy headquarters to pay tribute to the victims of the Cutro shipwreck and to the responders, which actively participated in assisting the victims and their families as well as collaborating with the Embassy during this sad incident. 

This calamity of epic proportion on 26th February 2023, which took the precious lives of around 80 Afghans, continues as many more bodies have yet to be recovered.

The Embassy had the honor of hosting and valued the interventions of the Undersecretary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, HE Ms. Maria Tripodi; HE Ambassador Francesco Maria Talo, the Italian Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Advisor; Prefetto Maria Teresa Sempreviva, the Representative from the Ministry of Interior of Italy; Princess India, the daughter of the Late Afghan King Amanullah Khan, the founder of Afghanistan’s Independence; Mr. Adriano de Nardis, the Representative of the Red Cross; and Ms. Manuelita Scigliano, the Representative of “Rete 26 febbraio”. Speeches were also delivered by Imam Dr. Achir Mustapha, President of ENIS Association in Crotone and Mr. Gulaqa Jamshidi, the Representative of the Afghan victims in Crotone. Additionally, the heads and members of Italian nonprofit organizations and of the Afghan associations, civil society and diaspora in Italy were also present at this ceremony.

After the Iftar dinner prepared by the Embassy, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to all governmental and nongovernmental responders that assisted the victims and their families as well as to those that collaborated with the Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome during this incident in Cutro, Crotone.