DamAge - Vajont

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The new town of Longarone. Corruption has always been a matter when it comes to the financing of the riconstruction. Major parts of north-eastern Italy declared themselves as affected areas and businessmen from far away from Vajont managed to benefit economically from the disaster with subsidies and tax reductions. On the contrary many of the survivours got pushed to sign agreements for a minor compensation renouncing to proceed legally. On October 9th 1963 a giant landslide collapses into the artificial lake created by the Vajont Dam in northern Italy, provoking a 250 meters high wave that completely destroys the settlements near the lake and the town of Longarone far down in the valley below the dam. 1910 people lost their lives in a tragedy that easily could have been avoided if it was not for the economical and political interests of powerful men dreaming of the tallest dam in the world. A tragedy that is still alive today in Erto, Casso and Longarone, where the survivers of that disastrous day almost 50 years ago are still fighting for their justice.