30 years have passed since the tragic fire in the Gdansk shipyard. At that time, seven people died. It was arson, but to this day it is not clear who is responsible. When a fire broke out in the hall after the concert, the audience initially thought it was lighting effects.
On November 24, 1994, 7 people died as a result of a fire in the hall of the Gdańsk Shipyard, where the band “Zolotoy Zhizn” was performing. About 300 people were injured.
Mr. Rafal Borovsky's hand was saved, but the wounds remained. Not only those visible to the naked eye. – One of these girls was riding on my leg in the police car, and later it turned out that she was dead – the man recalls.
At that time, Mr. Szymon Tarwacki was working as a technician at the shipyard in Gdansk. – I saw a fireman passing me with a fire extinguisher and looked into my eyes and saw that this older fireman was scared, – the man reports.
Mrs. Evelina Halenda and Alicia Zhuchowska met in the hospital room. Both were injured in the fire. – What I remember most is the crowd, crowd, crying and disbelief when you looked at your hand, – says Mrs. Evelina.
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They were both 14 years old at the time, and the memories of this tragedy still linger not only at birthday parties, but also, for example, in gatherings or in closed rooms. – There is always a moment of hesitation as to where I stand, where the exit is, – Mrs. Aliczha admits.
The fire happened exactly 30 years ago in the hall of the Gdansk shipyard. More than two thousand young people were interested in the concert. Seven people were killed and more than 300 people were seriously burned.
“Father, fire”. These are the last words I heard from my daughter: “Attention!” TVN
The arsonist was never identified
The investigation showed that the hall was intentionally set on fire. The arsonist was never identified. But the organizers of the concert received a conditional sentence after 16 years of trial.
Survivors gather every year in front of the monument to the victims. Among them was Anna Goledzinovsky, who attended this concert at the age of 16. “We believed that they would burn us alive at some point,” recalls Anna Goledzinowska, who is currently a deputy of the Gdansk City Council.
Most of the injured have been receiving treatment for years, not just physically. At that time, psychologist Bohuslav Boris was working with traumatized youth. – It was very, very difficult to establish relations with some people. Everything except the issue of fire – recalls the professor.
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The memorial to the victims of the fire is commemorated not only with a monument, but also with the song “24/11/94” by “Zolotoi Life” with the lyrics “Life is beautiful, but so fragile”. Today, its creators also remember the victims and the wounded. – We always try to be here on this day, because people come who came for us then, – says Yaroslav Turbiarz, artist of the Golden Life group.
A monument to the victims of the fire in the event hall at the GdanskFakty TVN shipyard
At that time, it was the last concert for seven people. For those who have experienced it, every concert will be associated with fear. – That moment was the end of the world for us, for most of us, fortunately, the world was rebuilt, – admits Anna Goledzinovska.
Main photo source: PAP/Stefan Kraszewski
