Pula commemorates 80th anniversary of Vergarola tragedy

Pula is marking the 80th anniversary of the Vergarola tragedy, one of the darkest episodes in the city’s recent history. 

On August 18, 1946, an underwater mine exploded under circumstances that have never been fully explained, killing more than 60 people, most of them women and children, and leaving a lasting mark on Pula’s post-war history.

The official commemoration began with a wreath-laying ceremony at sea, followed by the unveiling of a new stone memorial beside Pula Cathedral. The names of the victims are engraved on the memorial.

A documentary exhibition dedicated to the victims and the heroism of surgeon Dr. Geppino Micheletti will also open as part of the commemorations.

“It is important to remember all these people. This year, we want to identify the victims and hear their names, so they do not remain anonymous traces in history. We want to remember them as people with names, surnames, families and lives,” said Pula Deputy Mayor Vito Paoletić.

“It should serve as a lesson to future generations so that something like this never happens again. I am deeply moved when I remember what happened that day and the many innocent victims,” said Mara Vivoda, whose uncle died in the tragedy.