Milan, 27 June (LaPresse) – "The massacre 45 years ago in the skies above Ustica left a painful and profound mark on the history of the Republic that can never be erased. All those on board that DC9, which had departed from Bologna bound for Palermo, lost their lives. Eighty-one people, including crew and passengers: many bodies could not be recovered. It was one of the darkest and most heart-rending tragedies to have struck our country." These were the words of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, on the 45th anniversary of the Ustica massacre. “Above all, remembrance renews our feelings of solidarity and closeness to the families of the victims, who were forced to endure unspeakable, indelible and inexplicable suffering. The Republic will not abandon the search for the truth and calls for the cooperation of all those, including our friends in other countries, who can help us respond to the need for justice, which does not fade over time because it is part of the very fabric of democracy,” concluded the Head of State.