British News Agency

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced his support for an initiative to award the Medal for Civil Valor (Medaglia al Valor Civile) to assistant lifeguard Fabrizio Valente, who died while trying to rescue a couple in Andora, in the province of Savona.

Tajani said Valente showed great self-sacrifice in trying to rescue the couple who were in distress at sea. It was stated that Valente first rescued the woman, then returned to the sea to save her husband, but that the couple ultimately could not be saved.

Emphasizing that Valente’s actions were an example of sacrifice, discipline and courage, Tajani said the lifeguard, who risked his own life to help others, represented the spirit of courage that holds an important place in Italian society.

Tajani also said he would support the initiative launched by Italian Swimming Federation President Paolo Barelli and called for Valente to be awarded the Medal for Civil Valor by the President of the Republic upon the proposal of the Interior Minister.

At the end of his statement, Tajani expressed his condolences to Fabrizio Valente’s family.