Poland Holds State Burial for Nazi Mass Execution Victims

Poland conducted a state burial for over 700 victims of Nazi Germany's World War II mass executions, recently uncovered in the 'Valley of Death.' The event included a funeral Mass, with President Andrzej Duda and other officials in attendance. Exhumations helped identify 120 victims including teachers and priests.

Poland on Monday conducted a state burial for the remains of over 700 victims of Nazi Germany's World War II mass executions, recently discovered in the 'Valley of Death' in northern Poland.

The ceremony in Chojnice commenced with a funeral Mass at the basilica and proceeded to a burial with military honors at a local cemetery. High-profile attendees included President Andrzej Duda and officials from the National Remembrance Institute, which documented the exhumations.

Human remain exhumations from 2021-2024 revealed 218 asylum patients among the victims. Personal belongings helped identify 120 victims including teachers, priests, and other civic figures. These atrocities began shortly after Germany invaded Poland in 1939, with another mass execution occurring in January 1945 as the Germans retreated.

(With inputs from agencies.)