The FINANCIAL — Italy is holding a day of mourning for six soldiers killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan last week, with a state funeral taking place in Rome. Crowds of mourners from all over the country gathered at the hospital chapel of rest in Rome where the coffins had been taken.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other political leaders joined the victims' families for the ceremony, according to BBC. A minute's silence will be held in schools and public buildings. Flags are flying at half mast.
Sixteen people died in the blast Thursday, and at least 55 Afghan civilians were wounded. Ten have died from their injuries since the bombing, CNN reported. The explosion Thursday targeted a mostly residential area near the Supreme Court in Kabul, a witness said. The bodies of the Italian soldiers killed in the blast returned to Italy Sunday, their coffins draped in the red, green and white Italian flag.
Their deaths are the single biggest loss Italy has suffered in Afghanistan, ABC News gives information. The deaths of troops has brought widespread shock and revulsion in Italy. It has also deepened the political debate with some calling for a troop withdrawal.
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome says the deaths have made a powerful impact on Italy, with extensive coverage in newspapers and on television. Thousands have been paying their respects as the bodies lay in state after being returned on Sunday.
Four servicemen wounded in the same attack are also present, according to BBC. The ceremony is being carried live on state and private TV channels.
Before the remains left for Rome, the Italian military, international troops and dignitaries held a service in the Afghan capital, CNN reported. "It's a tragedy for us," Lt. Col. Renato Vaira of the Italian military said at the Kabul service. "But this is a point to continue our mission." "We'll miss them. They're not the first. I hope it will be the last," said Maj. Gen. Tommaso Ferro of the Italian military.
After the attack, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said it would be "best" for the country's troops to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible, according to the same source. Berlusconi gave no timeline for a withdrawal, but said any pullout would have to be coordinated with allies. The 500 troops Italy sent to Afghanistan this summer will be home by Christmas, Ignazio La Russa, Italy's defense minister said.
The same source reported that the troops were sent ahead of the Afghan presidential election August 20. The rest of Italy's 2,800 troops in Afghanistan will withdraw only when NATO calls for it, La Russa said.
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