Municipality of Olgiate Olona
This website and the spirit that animates it arise from the desire to honor the memory of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959 and the seventy immortal lives whose mortal body fell to the ground that day; moreover, this website is intended to build bonds of solidarity with the persons linked by blood, love and friendship to the seventy immortal lives.
the memory of June 26, 1959
President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano (1925-2023) expressed on several occasions his appreciation for the commemorative events of June 26, 1959, that he rewarded with his medal in 2011. In 2019, President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella sent a message of ideal participation to the ceremony of the 60th anniversary, and greeting to the relatives of the seventy immortal lives.
the memory of June 26, 1959
In 2026, Pope Leo XIV praised the commemorative events of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959, and imparted his blessing to the families of the seventy immortal lives, the promoters and people attending the ceremony of the 67th anniversary.
At the annual ceremony commemorating the seventy immortal lives of the plane crash of June 26, 1959, the promoting staff of the commemorative events awarded some certificates of thanks.
Commemoration of June 26, 2026
Persons, institutions and enterprises share the spirit of the commemorative events inspired to June 26, 1959 and support the commemoration in various ways.
Commemoration of June 26, 2026
Stay updated on the news and the events promoted in memory of June 26, 1959
Featured story - October 5, 2026
The memory of June 26, 1959, in the new Historical Archive of the Italian Red Cross in Busto Arsizio
On September 26, 2026, the new Historical Archive was inaugurated at the Italian Red Cross headquarters in Busto Arsizio (Via Savona 2). The Archive houses dozens of relics — patiently collected, cataloged, and displayed (as the photograph shows) — that summarize the history of the Busto Arsizio branch of the Italian Red Cross, which will celebrate 125 years of activity in 2027. The Archive also holds a highly valuable memory of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959: an album containing 65 black-and-white photographs — purchased from Novelli’s photography studio in Busto Arsizio (some of these photos are published here and in Alberto Colombo’s 2008 book, Il disastro aereo del 26 giugno 1959 a Olgiate Olona)— that capture key moments of the crash and the ensuing days. These images document the involvement of employees, rescue volunteers, and volunteer nurses from the Busto Arsizio committee of the Italian Red Cross, an organization currently led by President Giulio Turconi and Vice President Simona Sangalli. The Historical Archive of the Italian Red Cross committee of Busto Arsizio is open to the public; further information is available on the website cribustoarsizio.com.
25th anniversary of Milan-Linate air disaster
05/10/2026The 25th anniversary of Milan-Linate air accident - the worst civil aviation disaster in Italy with 118 victims - will be celebrated on Thursday October 8, 2026, in Milan by the Municipality of Milan, Sea, Comitato 8 ottobre committee and Fondazione 8 ottobre foundation. At 10 a.m. at Bosco dei faggi in Parco Forlanini near the airport where the accident happened, monsignor Mario Delpini will celebrate the Mass in suffrage; the presentation of a video about the 25 years of Comitato 8 ottobre committee and the speeches of authorities will follow.
Friday June 26, 1959. The town of Olgiate Olona was miraculously saved from a plane crash (the fifth worst disaster of civil Aviation in Italy) which shocked all the world: the Trans World Airlines (TWA) four-engine Lockheed L-1649A Starliner Jetstream (reg. No. N7313C) - flight 891: Athens-Rome-Milan-Paris-Chicago - just taken off from Milan-Malpensa Airport during a storm, was struck by lightning and crashed in flames losing the engines and the rudder; the fuselage with seventy people on board (they were from eight Countries: USA, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Chile, Germany, Egypt, Israel) crashed near Cascina Agnese missing the town for a few dozen of meters. All the people on board perished and the prompt intervention of rescuers was vain. The corpses were recovered on June 27, 1959, and the coffins were brought to the basilica of St. John the Baptist in Busto Arsizio where on June 29, 1959, the funerals were celebrated. The investigation of the Judiciary ended with the dismissal of the case, while the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) confirmed that the breaking up in flight was due to a lightning that ignited the fuel vapors contained in tank No. 7 coming out from the vent outlets.
The oral tale handed down by eyewitnesses became unlikely and turned into legend. In 2008 Alberto Colombo reconstructed the plane crash in his book Il disastro aereo del 26 giugno 1959 a Olgiate Olona (translation: the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959) and the memory of the fact came back to life thanks to the initiatives promoted by the Municipal Administration: restoration of the memorial monument, Commemoration of 50th anniversary (2009) with naming of via 26 giugno street, commemorative stone, “Ape” car symbol of solidarity in memory of seventy immortal lives (in operation until January 2016), book Settanta vite immortali. Volume commemorativo 50° anniversario disastro aereo 26 giugno 1959 Olgiate Olona (translation: Seventy immortal lives. Volume commemorating the 50th anniversary of Olgiate Olona plane crash of June 26, 1959); educational project with the students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school of Olgiate Olona started in 2010; in 2011, medal of the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano (acknowledgment of the high value of the commemorative events of June 26, 1959) and stone in memory of the 118 victims of Milan-Linate air disaster; in 2013, publication of this website; in 2016, total conservative restoration of the memorial monument; in 2019, message of greeting to the relatives of the seventy immortal lives, and of ideal participation in the 60th anniversary sent by the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella.
Fatality struck seventy lives and tortured only their mortal bodies which fell to the ground: their spirits rose to immortality instead. For the seventy immortal lives of June 26, 1959 is worth what the Bible says: The souls of righteous are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them anymore (Sap 3,1). The relatives of these righteous have silently and with dignity turned their great sorrow into a gift: for their loved ones, for new generations, for the community. We are not allowed to change the History already happened. What was done in Olgiate Olona so far and what still will be done is only the essential that we are allowed to do: pray, honor the immortal lives and their loved ones by remembering and with acts of solidarity.
Alberto Colombo
Messages received
July 21, 2026
Dear Steve Welsch, have a good return home to America and thank you for choosing Olgiate Olona as a stop on your Italian journey. We hope you take home not just memories (...)
Sofia
July 2, 2026
I was very happy to hear of The Blessing received by our loved ones from Pope Leo. He grew up very near where we lived on the south side of Chicago. Thank you to all (...)
George
June 26, 2026
Thank you Alberto for making this day special every year. A big hug (...)
Maria Enrica and Roberto
June 25, 2026
Tomorrow will be 67 years since the horrible plane crash that took 70 lives, including my grandparents, great aunt, uncle and cousin from the Rey family. June is a very difficult month for our family (...)
George
January 19, 2026
Always thank you for the Memory that you keep alive and for involving your young people (...)
Claudia
December 19, 2025
Wishing the staff and town of Olgiate Olona a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for all that you do to keep the memories of 70 immortal souls (...)
John
December 19, 2025
Wishing all the website staff and all the people of Olgiate Olona a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2026!!! (...)
George
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