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Families of 90 soldiers killed in Falklands War visit graves for first time after remains identified decades later | Families of 90 soldiers killed in Falklands War visit graves for first time after remains identified decades later |
(35 minutes later) | |
The families of 90 Argentine soldiers killed in the Falklands War have visited their graves for the first time after the fallen troops’ remains were identified decades after the conflict. | The families of 90 Argentine soldiers killed in the Falklands War have visited their graves for the first time after the fallen troops’ remains were identified decades after the conflict. |
About 250 relatives travelled to a windswept military cemetery on the South Atlantic islands as part of an unprecedented diplomatic agreement between the UK and Argentina. | About 250 relatives travelled to a windswept military cemetery on the South Atlantic islands as part of an unprecedented diplomatic agreement between the UK and Argentina. |
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) identified the troops after taking DNA samples from the families of 107 soldiers who died in the 1982 war. | The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) identified the troops after taking DNA samples from the families of 107 soldiers who died in the 1982 war. |
Forensic scientists analysed remains from 122 graves labelled “no name” in Darwin Cemetery on East Falkland island. | Forensic scientists analysed remains from 122 graves labelled “no name” in Darwin Cemetery on East Falkland island. |
“I found my son, I spoke with him, I asked him questions, I shared my feelings with him, my pain,” said Dalal Massad after kneeling at her son Marcelo’s grave for the first time during the emotional trip on Monday. | “I found my son, I spoke with him, I asked him questions, I shared my feelings with him, my pain,” said Dalal Massad after kneeling at her son Marcelo’s grave for the first time during the emotional trip on Monday. |
"I feel at peace because I know where he is." | "I feel at peace because I know where he is." |
Marcelo was one of 649 Argentines killed during the 74-day war, nearly half of those perishing when a navy ship was sunk by a British submarine. | |
The conflict also cost the lives of 255 British troops, who were fighting to regain the islands after Argentina’s invasion. | The conflict also cost the lives of 255 British troops, who were fighting to regain the islands after Argentina’s invasion. |
Argentina still rejects the UK’s claim to the islands, which it calls the Malvinas. | Argentina still rejects the UK’s claim to the islands, which it calls the Malvinas. |
But the two nations set aside the dispute in 2016 to sign an agreement to identify the soldiers and divide the costs. | But the two nations set aside the dispute in 2016 to sign an agreement to identify the soldiers and divide the costs. |
Scientists started analysing the DNA last June after the ICRC began interviewing the families of fallen soldiers in 2012. | Scientists started analysing the DNA last June after the ICRC began interviewing the families of fallen soldiers in 2012. |
“Speaking for the state, I think we have taken an enormous step toward closing a debt we had to the families and to the heroes of the Malvinas,” said Claudio Avruj, Argentina’s human rights secretary, at Monday’s ceremony. | “Speaking for the state, I think we have taken an enormous step toward closing a debt we had to the families and to the heroes of the Malvinas,” said Claudio Avruj, Argentina’s human rights secretary, at Monday’s ceremony. |
He said the identification of the soldiers was “the culmination of a long-running demand” and the families’ visit “was a celebration of life in its entirety”. | He said the identification of the soldiers was “the culmination of a long-running demand” and the families’ visit “was a celebration of life in its entirety”. |
Parents, siblings and other relatives of the buried soldiers sobbed, prayed, and comforted each other at the cemetery, where in total 237 Argentine soldiers are buried. | Parents, siblings and other relatives of the buried soldiers sobbed, prayed, and comforted each other at the cemetery, where in total 237 Argentine soldiers are buried. |
The families listened as Scots Guards members played bagpipes against a backdrop of vast, grassy plains, and some relatives collected stones to bring back to the mainland. | The families listened as Scots Guards members played bagpipes against a backdrop of vast, grassy plains, and some relatives collected stones to bring back to the mainland. |
Brigadier Baz Bennett, Commander of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, said: “For me, as a military man, I think it is very, very important that the families have been able to come here today to now actually see a name on a grave and be able to pay their respects.” | Brigadier Baz Bennett, Commander of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, said: “For me, as a military man, I think it is very, very important that the families have been able to come here today to now actually see a name on a grave and be able to pay their respects.” |
Relatives of 32 fallen soldiers who have not been identified also attended the ceremony. | Relatives of 32 fallen soldiers who have not been identified also attended the ceremony. |
Nora Dimotta, whose son Raul never returned from the war, cried in front of one of the unmarked graves. | Nora Dimotta, whose son Raul never returned from the war, cried in front of one of the unmarked graves. |
“This is not the final step, this is the beginning,” said Norma Gomez, whose brother Eduardo was identified. “This process will continue until all the missing soldiers are identified.” | “This is not the final step, this is the beginning,” said Norma Gomez, whose brother Eduardo was identified. “This process will continue until all the missing soldiers are identified.” |
Mr Avruj added: “We must continue working to gather as many samples as possible in order to gain greater certainty about those that remain unidentified.” | Mr Avruj added: “We must continue working to gather as many samples as possible in order to gain greater certainty about those that remain unidentified.” |
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