Italy
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Pierantonio Costa
Mestre, Italy
Archival Overview
Italian honorary consul in Kigali who spent his personal wealth to rescue nearly two thousand people, including hundreds of children, during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
Biographical Record
Pierantonio Costa had lived in Central Africa since childhood and was a successful businessman serving as honorary consul of Italy in Kigali when the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi broke out. While foreign nationals were evacuated, Costa chose to remain in the killing zone.
Using his diplomatic immunity, personal convoys, and over three million dollars of his own savings to bribe militias and forge documents, Costa organized 56 covert rescue missions. He successfully evacuated 1,875 people, including 375 children from the Nyanza orphanage, across the border to Burundi.
Key Life Milestones
Evacuation of 1,875 People
Conducted 56 perilous humanitarian convoys across Rwanda, saving 1,875 Tutsi and moderate Hutus.
Rescue of 375 Orphans
Secured safe passage for 375 children from the Nyanza orphanage to the Burundian border.
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialMilan, Italy