[Dr Giambattista Pillan: the head of the medical rescue operations in the 1940 mining accident in Rasa.].

The accident in the Rasa mines of 28 February 1940 was the greatest tragedy in the history of mining in Istria; an explosion, most likely fuellled by methane and coal dust, claimed 185 lives and injured over a hundred people. Documentation made available by the courtesy of Zdravko Hrastnik, a collector from Labin, and the archieves of the Vicenza town hospital shed some light on this tragedy and on the human and professional character of Giovanni Battista Pillan, the Rasa mine physician who was commended and rewarded for successfully fighting the adversity. Later however, he was sent to the front lines over a difference in opinion with the local health administration.