Aerial photographs showed whole areas of Amatrice, a year ago voted one of Italy’s most lovely historic towns, flattened by the quake. Officials warn the death toll may rise further if people possibly trapped in the rubble are not rescued soon.
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As many as 365 people were injured in the quake that struck at 3:36 a.m. Wednesday, Italy’s civil protection service announced. Dozens of people are believed to be trapped in the ruins of buildings in the three heavily affected communities of Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto.
Many were left homeless by the scale of the destruction, their homes and apartments declared uninhabitable. Some survivors, escorted by firefighters were allowed to go back inside homes briefly Thursday to get essential necessities for what will surely be an extended absence.
The worker then started to encourage her: “Come on, Giulia, come on, Giulia”. “They have given us a lovely example, because their pain did not take away their dignity”.
What was especially tragic from Wednesday’s natural disaster was the fact that it hit some of Italy’s most lovely and oldest towns.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi declared a state of emergency and authorized 50 million euros to fund the recovery.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica said local prosecutors have opened an investigation to determine whether shoddy construction was the cause of some building collapses.
The quake swarm is increasing fears and unease among the displaced, and creating more risks to those who kept digging in a desperate search for last survivors. The cost of the 2009 L’Aquila quake, comparable by magnitude and extent of the damage, has run into the billions of euros.
Major quakes in Italy are often followed by criminal charges being filed against architects, builders and officials responsible for public works if the buildings crumble. Their convictions were overturned on appeal.
Gianni Macerata, the fire officer in charge of rescue operations said after they pulled a dog free from the rubble: “It doesn’t matter to us if it’s a person or an animal, we save it.” . Many Amatrice residents spent the night outdoors.
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Italy’s civil protection agency said the first estimate for damage is about $11 billion.
