On the 70th anniversary of the Marcinelle tragedy, the Republic of San Marino pays tribute to the 262 victims of the disaster at the Bois du Cazier mine, which occurred on 8 August 1956. The Secretariats of State for Labour and for Industry commemorate one of the most tragic chapters in European history, stressing that remembrance must be translated into concrete action to ensure ever safer workplaces.
The tragedy struck close to home for San Marino as well. In the years following the Second World War, many Sammarinese emigrated to Belgium to work in the coal mines under agreements signed between the two countries. Although no Sammarinese citizens lost their lives at Marcinelle, the grief of those days deeply affected the entire community, becoming part of the country’s collective memory.
“Protecting health in the workplace is the cornerstone of any responsible model of development,” said the Secretary of State for Labour, Alessandro Bevitori, and the Secretary of State for Industry, Rossano Fabbri. “Remembering the tragedy of Bois du Cazier means upholding an unwavering principle: economic growth can never come at the expense of safety. Today we have prevention tools that were unimaginable seventy years ago, but constant commitment is needed to ensure that the protection of workers remains at the heart of every productive activity.”
The two Secretariats reaffirmed that strengthening controls, investing in worker training and supporting businesses that embrace innovation and prevention represent the path forward to turning workplace safety into a lasting, concrete value.
