The grave, located in the northwest corner of the Tarragona cemetery in the area historically reserved for non-Catholic burials, is one of six confirmed sites in the city. The purpose of the exhumation is genetic study to cross-reference DNA with samples already provided by relatives.
Documentation suggests that most of the individuals buried were victims of Francoist repression in Tarragona between 1939 and 1944. This marks the third grave exhumed in the city, following another in the cemetery and one near the Tabacalera area in 2010.
“"We are happy and grateful, but it is also painful, because it is the result of many years of struggle."
The Associació de Víctimes de la Repressió Franquista a Tarragona, led by president Montserrat Giné, has worked for years to locate relatives, successfully contacting those of 15 individuals so far. The association has collected DNA samples from relatives, including nephews and grandchildren, to overcome the difficulties caused by the passage of time in the identification process.
