Mourning For Mudslide Victims In Sicily

Coffins draped with Italian flags are seen during the funeral service for the victims of massive mudslides in Sicily, in Messina's Cathedral, Italy, 10 Oct 2009Thousands turned out in the cathedral of the Sicilian city of Messinato take part in the funeral service for the victims of the deadlymudslides. At least 28 people were killed earlier this month whenrivers of mud tore down a mountainside flooding entire towns.

Family members and friends of thevictims of the mudslides gathered in the cathedral in silence. Churchand state leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi,took part in the solemn service.

21 coffins draped in theItalian flag were lined up below the church's altar. The names and agesof the victims were read out one by one. Each name was followed by longapplause.

A message from Pope Benedict was read out in church.The archbishop of Messina, Calogero la Piana, who celebrated theservice, said similar tragedies must never occur again.

He saidthat in this moment of sadness and mourning for the whole community ofMessina and Italy, we feel deeply and intimately united with thoseaffected by the recent tragedy.

Torrential rains October 1caused the mudslides in the northeast of Sicily, near the coastal cityof Messina. Not all the bodies have yet been recovered. Some are stillmissing and hundreds of people have been left homeless.

Firefighters remove debris in Giampilieri near Messina, southern Italy, 3 Oct 2009Dozensof houses on the outskirts of the Sicilian city were swept away orflattened by heavy rain and mud. The disaster sparked a row overprotection measures against flooding with local officials accusing thegovernment of ignoring their appeals for funds.
 
But the head ofthe rescue services blamed shoddy building for the disaster, saying toomany houses had been built too close to rivers and the seafront in anarea hit by landslides two years ago.
 
In his homily thearchbishop said the management of the unique heritage of this beautifuland fascinating territory, rich in colors, vegetation and art, islacking. Too often, he added, it is violated by the sin of men, byneglect, by private and selfish interests and by perverse logic and alltypes of speculations.

Saturday was declared a national day ofmourning. The Italian prime minister has promised to build new housesfor the victims of the mudslides, just like the ones that were builtfor the victims of the earthquake in l'Aquila earlier this year. Comingout of the cathedral on Saturday, Mr. Berlusconi said everything wouldbe done as quickly as possible.