On the day after the bombing at first light, most of the civilians still alive fled the ruins. Only about 40 people remained including six monks who survived in the deep vaults of the abbey, and their 79 year old abbot, Gregorio Diamare. The monks decided to leave their ruined home with the others who could move at 0730 on February 17. One monk, Carlomanno Pellagalli, returned to the abbey; were he was later seen wandering the ruins. The German paratroopers thought he was a ghost. After April 3, he was never seen again.