Earthquake Tragedy Strikes Central Italy
Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit central Italy. It is currently known that at least 150 people have perished. Sadly, it is more than likely that the final death toll will increase further because many people are still missing. Therefore, the government of Italy is sending emergency personnel to the mountainous region that was struck.
Accumoli is especially known to be suffering greatly because the death toll from this earthquake is high. Other areas, like Amatrice, suffered major structural damage and according to various sources, approximately 75 % of all homes have been destroyed.
Matteo Renzi, the Prime Minister of Italy, immediately responded to developments. Similarly, he praised civil defense members and a rush of volunteers who responded quickly to events.
The BBC says, “While the full extent of casualties is still emerging, Italian news agency Ansa is reporting that it believes at least 35 people have been killed in Amatrice and 11 in Accumoli, and another 17 in the villages of Arquata del Tronto and Pescara del Tronto.”
Sergio Pirozzi, the Mayor of Amatrice, said, “Three quarters of the town is not there anymore… The aim now is to save as many lives as possible. There are voices under the rubble, we have to save the people there.”
The above comment by the Mayor of Amatrice clearly highlights the need to provide urgent support. In other words, the race against time is on because every minute counts. Therefore, search and rescue operations need the full support of local authorities and the central government.
Reuters says, “Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said he would visit the disaster area later in the day: “No one will be left alone, no family, no community, no neighborhood. We must get down to work … to restore hope to this area which has been so badly hit,” he said in a brief televised address.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-quake-idUSKCN10Z04H
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37171953
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