Two Moroccan men lost their lives on Sunday after attempting to rescue a six-year-old girl who had been swept away by the current of the Sesia River in northern Italy, in an incident that has prompted tributes from local communities where they had lived for years.
The accident occurred in La Barca, a hamlet of Romagnano Sesia in the province of Novara, where the girl was swimming in the Sesia River, a popular destination for rafting enthusiasts in the Piedmont and Lombardy regions.
Her father, Bouchta El Kerjmi, 51, and her uncle, Abdelhadi Benzaid, 46, immediately entered the water to try to save her, despite reportedly being weak swimmers.
Both men drowned during the rescue attempt. According to Italian media, the girl was eventually pulled from the water by her brother and another swimmer. She was taken to Borgomanero Hospital for medical examinations.
The two men had been living in Italy for several years, residing in the municipalities of Casorate Sempione and Azzio. Their bodies are expected to be repatriated to Morocco for burial in their hometown of Ras El Aïn, at the request of their families.
Local officials and residents paid tribute to the victims, describing them as hardworking and well-integrated members of their communities.
Local media in the province of Varese said Benzaid had recently purchased a home in the historic center of Azzio after years of working as a truck driver for a local company. Former neighbors remembered him as a kind and generous man who was always willing to help others.
Federico Raos, mayor of Orino, where Benzaid had previously lived, recalled that his hard work had begun to pay off and that he had become well known for taking on various jobs to support his family.
In Casorate Sempione, Mayor Dimitri Cassani paid tribute to El Kerjmi, describing him as a dedicated worker and devoted family man who had integrated well into the local community.
“He was an immigrant who worked hard and was fully integrated,” Cassani said, calling the incident “a tragedy for our community.”
