All articles tagged with #national mourning
All 40 victims of the devastating bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during New Year's celebrations have been identified, with many being minors, and a national day of mourning scheduled for Friday to honor those who lost their lives in one of Switzerland's worst disasters.
A helicopter crash in Ghana resulted in the deaths of two government ministers and six others, with black boxes recovered for investigation. The crash occurred amid bad weather conditions, and a full inquiry has been initiated. A national mourning period has been declared, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
A tragic crush at a school exam in Bangui, Central African Republic, caused by a nearby explosion, resulted in the deaths of 29 students and injuries to over 280, prompting the president to declare national mourning and order free treatment for the wounded. The incident highlights ongoing political instability and security issues in the country.
Australian police are investigating why a man who stabbed six people to death in a Sydney shopping mall targeted women while avoiding men. The assailant, Joel Cauchi, had a history of mental illness and his father attributed the targeting to his frustration at not having a girlfriend. Most of the victims were women, and the only male killed was a security guard. A day of national mourning was declared to honor the victims, and flags flew at half-staff across Australia.
Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has died in a helicopter crash in the Los Ríos region of southern Chile at the age of 74. Three others on board survived and are "out of danger." Pinera, a billionaire businessman-turned-politician, served as president from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022. His death has prompted a state funeral and a period of national mourning in Chile, which was already in mourning due to devastating forest fires. Pinera's leadership was marked by significant events, including massive protests, a popular vote on constitutional change, and the country's Covid-19 pandemic response.
Former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera, 74, died in a helicopter crash in the Los Rios region. Three others survived. President Gabriel Boric ordered a state funeral and national mourning. The cause of the crash is unclear. Piñera, a billionaire center-right politician, served two nonconsecutive presidential terms and faced major protests over social inequality during his second term. Condolences poured in from regional leaders.
Wildfires in central Chile have claimed the lives of at least 99 people, with hundreds still missing and over 1,000 homes damaged. President Gabriel Boric has declared a "tragedy of very great magnitude" and announced two days of national mourning. The fires are threatening the outskirts of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, with authorities implementing a curfew and deploying the military to assist firefighters. This disaster marks Chile's worst national tragedy since the 2010 earthquake, and efforts are underway to provide aid to the affected areas.
Forest fires in Chile have claimed the lives of at least 64 people, with the death toll expected to rise, and have affected over 43,000 hectares and 1,350 homes. President Gabriel Boric has declared two days of national mourning and a state of emergency, promising government resources to aid those affected. Evacuations have been triggered in central Chile, and red alerts have been issued for at-risk areas. The fires, exacerbated by a heat wave, have prompted the deployment of helicopters, firefighters, and the suspension of mass commercial events.
Czech police are investigating the motive behind a mass shooting in Prague, where a 24-year-old student killed 14 people and injured 25 others. The gunman's body was found "motionless," and it is believed he died by suicide, although the possibility of being killed by police is also being investigated. The shooter had no criminal record, and authorities received a tip-off that he intended to harm himself. The university where the attack occurred, Charles University, canceled all lectures and events, and the government declared a national day of mourning. The incident has prompted increased security measures at schools and other potential targets.
At least 32 people have died and 14 are missing after a mine fire in Kazakhstan's Kostenko mine operated by ArcelorMittal Temirtau. The fire, suspected to be caused by a methane blast, led to the evacuation of 206 out of 252 people. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a national day of mourning and ordered a halt to investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau. The government and the company are working on finalizing a deal to nationalize the company, which operates the country's largest steel mill.
Italy has declared a day of national mourning for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who passed away on Monday. A state funeral will be held on Wednesday at Milan's Duomo cathedral, with parliamentary votes suspended for a week. The funeral is expected to be attended by current and former political leaders from across the spectrum, as well as international dignitaries. However, the decision to declare national mourning has attracted criticism from some opposition politicians who claim it was a political choice.
A student who was upset at having her mobile phone confiscated after she was discovered to be having an affair with an older man allegedly sparked a deadly blaze that ripped through the dormitory of a girls’ boarding school in Guyana, killing 19 people. The man allegedly involved in a relationship with the student is expected to face charges for statutory rape. The youngest person killed was the dormitory caretaker’s five-year-old son. President Irfaan Ali declared three days of national mourning.
The UK government spent an estimated $200 million on Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and lying-in-state last year, which was attended by world leaders and dignitaries. The occasion followed 10 days of national mourning after the queen died at age 96 on Sept. 8 after 70 years on the throne. The costs were published Thursday as part of a written statement to Parliament.
The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II cost the UK government around $201.4 million, according to newly-released figures. The funeral was held on September 18, 2022, after a 10-day period of national mourning. The costs to UK government departments included £73.68 million to the Home Office, £57.42 million for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, £2.565 million to the Department for Transport, £2.096 million for the Foreign Office, and £2.89 million for the Ministry of Defence. The cost to the government in Scotland, where a slow hearse procession and a one-day lying in state was held, was £18.756 million.
The UK government spent an estimated £162m on Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and events during the 10-day period of national mourning. The Home Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport spent the most. The costs incurred by the government departments relate to the Queen's funeral and other events in the run-up, including the monarch's lying-in-state. The estimated costs include expenses for the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Ireland governments. The government's priority was to ensure that the events ran smoothly and with the appropriate level of dignity while ensuring the safety and security of the public.