In the central town of Lanciano, Italy, an unfortunate accident occurred during the celebrations for the 80th Liberation Day, leading to the tragic death of a man and injuries to two women. The incident happened on Friday when an 80-year-old driver seemed to have fallen ill, losing control of his vehicle and crashing into the gathered crowd, according to local sources and emergency responders.
As a result of the accident, an 81-year-old man was fatally struck and succumbed to his injuries on the spot. The two injured women were subsequently rushed to the hospital for further medical care. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the driver’s sudden lapse in control.
Italy’s Liberation Day, known as “Festa della Liberazione,” is observed on April 25 each year and celebrated as a national public holiday. The occasion is marked by the closure of schools, government offices, and most commercial establishments. Italians honor the day with parades and demonstrations across the nation, celebrating the end of Fascist rule and Nazi occupation, and the triumph of the Italian partisan movement during World War II.
The tragic incident in Lanciano occurred towards the conclusion of a local parade, which was organized by ANPI, the association dedicated to preserving the memory of the Resistance movement against Fascism. This year’s 80th anniversary of Liberation Day coincided with a five-day national mourning period for the passing of Pope Francis, prompting the right-wing government to urge organizers to observe the celebrations with a sense of “sobriety.”