Mattarella at Seveso: 'Never again human costs for economic gain'

Italian President Sergio Mattarella marked the 50th anniversary of the Seveso disaster, a catastrophic dioxin leak from the Icmesa factory in 1976. Speaking at the Bosco delle querce (Oak Forest), an area reclaimed from severe contamination, Mattarella firmly rejected any notion of sacrificing human well-being for economic advantage. "Any opinion that imagines it is possible to cynically plan an exchange between human costs and economic benefits must be firmly rejected," he stated.

“

any opinion that imagines it is possible to plan cynically an exchange between human costs and economic benefits must be firmly rejected

The disaster led to the evacuation of thousands, the destruction of homes and roads in the most affected zones, and long-term health consequences, including deaths from dioxin-related illnesses. The area was so contaminated that it had to be razed and rebuilt as a park. Mayor Alessia Borroni described the forest as the "soul of Seveso," a soul scarred by fear and stigma but not defeated. She thanked the president for his presence, seeing it as recognition of the city's pain and dignity.

“

The forest is the soul of Seveso

Mattarella acknowledged the "unacceptable actions" of the company's leadership, citing "culpable delay" and "very serious reticence and concealment." However, he also highlighted the disaster's role as a turning point, fostering greater awareness of safety and prevention in Italy and Europe. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including Senate President Ignazio La Russa and Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, also honored individuals like Carlo Galante, an worker hailed as a "hero" for activating a cooling valve at personal risk, and remembered those like Professor Paolo Mocarelli, who meticulously tracked the dioxin's impact on the population.

“

We want to remember but also turn the page. We are contagious, but contagious with life

The event featured a theatrical narrative interspersed with testimonies from former mayor Beppe Cassina and Giuliana Zorzi, who was 18 on the day of the disaster. The surviving poplar tree in the contaminated zone, now a national monument, served as a symbol of resilience. Mattarella concluded by emphasizing that what happened in Seveso became a pivotal moment, driving a new culture of safety and prevention.

“

One of the most dramatic events our country has had to face