STRAIT OF OTRANTO — 1997 · Major Tragedy
The Otranto Tragedy (Katër i Radës)
On 28 March 1997 the small Albanian vessel Katër i Radës, carrying about 142 people fleeing the unrest that followed the collapse of pyramid schemes in Albania, sank after colliding with the Italian Navy corvette Sibilla in the Strait of Otranto. Italy was operating a procedure to board and stop Albanian boats to prevent unauthorised migration; in the collision that occurred during this manoeuvre at least 83 people died or went missing. Italian courts held both captains responsible for shipwreck and multiple manslaughter. The tragedy started a long debate about how much force states may use to protect their borders.
- Date
- 1997
- Place
- Adriatic-Ionian Sea, Albania-Italy, Strait of Otranto, AL
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 40.1000, 19.0000 ↗
Timeline of Events
- January-March 1997Unrest broke out in Albania after pyramid schemes collapsed.
- 28 March 1997Katër i Radës sank after colliding with the corvette Sibilla.
- April 1997Memorial demonstrations were held in Vlorë.
- Later yearsItalian courts held both captains responsible.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Tragedy of Otranto en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Voal — Dossier: 28 mars 1997, tragjedia e Otrantos voal.ch ↗
- Wikipedia
- Voal
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.