Death of Cristina and Violetta Djeordsevic

Cristina and Violetta Djeordsevic were two young Roma sisters who drowned accidentally on 17 July 2008 while swimming at a beach in Naples, Italy. Their deaths brought international attention when their covered bodies were photographed amid Italian vacationers who seemed unconcerned that two non-Italian children had just died in front of them. The deaths raised international concerns about racism in Italy in general, and against the Roma people in particular. Media coverage of the deaths fueled additional condemnation after the May 2008 arsons of Romani camps, also in Naples. (Their names are also listed in reports as "Cristina Ibramovitc, 12, and Viola Ibramovitc, 11".)