Luigi Cavallari, 84, dived from a boat on Lake Vico on 27 June, felt unwell after surfacing, and did not re-emerge. His wife, Minister Roccella, raised the alarm.
Divers from multiple regions, sonar, drones and an experimental submersible have been deployed, but near-zero visibility, depth up to 50 m and dense vegetation have hampered efforts.
Prime Minister Meloni, opposition leader Schlein and numerous parliamentarians expressed solidarity. Meloni also condemned online hate messages directed at the minister.
In a 4 July post, the minister described the moment as 'tragic and lacerating' and said the wave of affection helps her carry on.
Luigi Cavallari, 84, vanished on the afternoon of Saturday 27 June during a boat trip on Lake Vico, in the province of Viterbo. He dived into the water to cool off, surfaced feeling unwell, and then sank without re-emerging. His wife, Minister for Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities Eugenia Roccella, raised the alarm immediately. Rescue teams arrived within minutes, but Cavallari has not been seen since.
For a full week, divers from the fire service, police, carabinieri and financial police have combed the lake. Specialised units were brought in from Lombardy, Calabria, Sardinia and Lazio. The search has moved from visual sweeps to instrument-based scanning: a Didson sonar, drones, an experimental underwater vehicle and advanced mapping systems are now in use. Teams are also inspecting water intakes at treatment plants and a tributary. Conditions are extremely difficult. Visibility below the surface is near zero, the bottom is muddy and thick with reeds and submerged vegetation, and the lake reaches depths of up to 50 metres. Currents and eddies may have carried a body far from the entry point.
Support for Roccella came from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke on behalf of the entire government shortly after the news broke. Opposition leader Elly Schlein expressed the Democratic Party's closeness. When parliament reconvened this week, several lawmakers used their speaking time to send messages of affection. At the same time, a number of hateful online comments appeared, prompting Meloni to react.
“It makes one shudder to read these inhuman comments.”
On 4 July, Roccella posted her first public statement since the incident. She said she was trying to reply to everyone personally and thanked those who had reached out.
“A wave of affection that, in a moment so tragic and lacerating for me, moves me and helps me to go on. Thank you.”
Her public political activity has been suspended since the disappearance. The search continues without a confirmed timeline for its conclusion.
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Family Minister Eugenia Roccella posted a Facebook message on 4 July thanking those who offered support, one week after her 84-year-old husband Luigi Cavallari disappeared while swimming in Lake Vico.
AI text based on reports by AGI, il Giornale.it, Fanpage and other publishers. Published .