Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who passed away today, is considered a friend of Albanians. In a video published years ago, he appears in tears for the tragedy in the Otranto Canal, which happened on March 28, 1997, otherwise known as the Kater i Rada flood.
The Albanian ship with 142 people on board was overturned by the Italian naval forces in the Strait of Otranto, causing the loss of life of 57 people, aged between 3 and 69 years.
At that time, Berlusconi was in the opposition and spoke to the media.
"I believe that Italy cannot agree to give the world the image of someone throwing into the sea someone who is fleeing from a neighboring country, fearing for his life, seeking rescue and escape in a country that he considers friend
Our duty is to accept those who find themselves in these conditions. We must wash away this stain that came from a decision that should not have been taken," said Berlusconi.