Tragedy in Bosnia: ANMCRI Sections of Massa Carrara, Lucca, Pisa and Livorno mourn the four fallen Italian servicemen: “We will not forget you, Brothers”

30 October 2026 – The Associazione Nazionale Militari della Croce Rossa Italiana in Congedo (ANMCRI), through its Massa Carrara, Lucca, Pisa and Livorno Section, has expressed its deepest condolences over the deaths of the four Italian service members involved in the tragic air accident that occurred on 29 October in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the international EUFOR Althea mission.

Those who lost their lives were Lieutenant Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Sergeant Laura Procacci, members of the Corpo Militare Volontario della Croce Rossa Italiana, and Sergeants Simone Ruggia and Claudio Marchesi of the Esercito Italiano.

The message of condolence, signed by CRI Commissariat Lieutenant Antonio Biancardi, President of the ANMCRI Massa Carrara, Lucca, Pisa and Livorno Section, underscores the deep bond uniting serving and retired military personnel in remembrance of four colleagues who lost their lives while deployed on an international mission.

The ANMCRI statement: «Grief for four colleagues who were carrying out their duty»

Below is the full statement issued by the Association:

The Associazione Nazionale Militari della Croce Rossa Italiana in Congedo – Massa Carrara, Lucca, Pisa and Livorno Section expresses its deepest condolences over the tragic loss of Lieutenant Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Sergeant Laura Procacci, members of the Corpo Militare Volontario della Croce Rossa Italiana, and Esercito Italiano Sergeants Simone Ruggia and Claudio Marchesi.

The news of the accident in Bosnia-Herzegovina, during the EUFOR Althea mission, has struck us with profound sorrow.

For those who hold dear the history, values and uniform of the Corpo Militare Volontario CRI, the loss of Franco and Laura cannot be merely a news story: it is the grief for two colleagues who were carrying out their duty, alongside Simone and Claudio, in the service of peace and Italy.

To the families of the Fallen, their loved ones, and the colleagues of the Corpo Militare Volontario CRI and the Esercito Italiano, we extend the closeness, respect and symbolic embrace of our Association.

At this time, our thoughts are also with the eleven Brothers injured and their families, with our most sincere wishes for a swift recovery. Among them is a member of the medical evacuation team of the Corpo Militare Volontario CRI: to him we extend the symbolic embrace of our Association.

Honor to Lieutenant Franco Adriano Zecchillo, Sergeant Laura Procacci, Sergeant Simone Ruggia and Sergeant Claudio Marchesi.

We will not forget you, Brothers

CRI Commissariat Lt. Antonio Biancardi
President ANMCRI – Massa Carrara, Lucca, Pisa and Livorno Section

Thoughts also with the eleven injured service members

In its statement, the Association also extends special thoughts to the eleven service members injured in the accident, including a member of the medical evacuation team of the Corpo Militare Volontario della Croce Rossa Italiana.

A reference underscoring the presence and role of military medical personnel in international missions, where Italian Red Cross personnel work alongside the Armed Forces in healthcare and medical support activities. In his message of condolence issued yesterday, the Chief of the Italian Army General Staff, Lt. Gen. Carmine Masiello, described the Italian Red Cross as a «historic and fraternal ally in all operational theaters».

The words of Commissariat Lieutenant Antonio Biancardi convey the Association’s sense of solidarity with the families of the fallen and with colleagues still working to cope with the consequences of the tragedy.

The message concludes with a pledge to remember the four Italian service members who died: «We will not forget you, Brothers».