Italian newspaper La Repubblica said local prosecutors have opened an investigation to determine whether shoddy construction was the cause of some building collapses.
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A devastating magnitude 6.2 natural disaster struck central Italy early Wednesday, leveling homes and trapping residents under rubble as they slept.
“Quiet, quiet”, one rescue worker said, according to The Associated Press.
As the search effort continued, the soul-searching began. They were among the hundreds killed and injured when a 6.2-magnitude quake levelled three small towns in central Italy early Wednesday morning.
Firefighters then tell each other, “Slowly, slowly”, as they slowly remove the debris and pull little Giulia out from under the rubble.
Investigators are assessing the damage, as experts estimate that 70 per cent of Italy’s buildings aren’t built to anti-seismic standards.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was holding a Cabinet meeting on Thursday to agree measures to help the affected communities. 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.
“Unfortunately, 90 per cent we pull out are dead, but some make it, that’s why we are here”, Christian Bianchetti said.
Many who made it out safely are staying in tents set up around the devastated towns that are housing at least 1,200, although the mood continues to be tense as many are left penniless.
Most of the dead – 184 – were in Amatrice, a picturesque medieval town of around 3,000 people.
One rescue operation was mounted at the Hotel Roma in Amatrice, where an annual spaghetti festival was scheduled this weekend to honor the town’s signature bacon and tomato pasta sauce. Among those killed was an 11-year-old boy who had initially shown signs of life. Her dog, a white Bishon Maltese, rested at their feet.
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Frances D’Emilio reported from Amatrice, Italy, Nicole Winfield reported from Rome.
