MOSCOW, January 21 (RIA Novosti) - The guided missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, will make an unofficial visit to the port of Messina in Sicily on January 27-30, a Russian Navy spokesman said on Wednesday.
Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said the visit was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Messina earthquake and Russia's participation in the international relief effort.
In addition to the Russian vessel, U.S., British, German, Spanish and Danish warships will take part in events marking the anniversary.
The Messina earthquake had an estimated magnitude 7.5 on the Richter scale and was followed by a tsunami that struck many coastal cities with 40-foot (12-meter) waves, causing more destruction.
The earthquake and tsunami killed over 100,000 people in Messina, with a population of 150,000.
