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Deadly Earthquake Hits Central Italy

Ninety-two people are believed to be dead after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck towns and cities across central Italy yesterday. The closest city to the epicenter of the quake was L'Aquila, a town about 60 miles away from Rome in the Abruzzo Region.

According to news reports, between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings in the medieval city may have been damaged. Between 40,000 and 50,000 people overall are believed to have lost their homes.

The quake struck around 3:30 a.m. and could be felt as far away as Rome, some 95 miles to the west, where it rattled furniture and set off car alarms. Part of a student dormitory, a church tower and other historic buildings collapsed in L’Aquila, and the town’s cathedral was damaged.

The city of L'Aquila is described as a "Walled city with narrow streets, lined by Baroque and Renaissance buildings" with none of the older buildings built to withstand earthquakes. Right now, the city is focusing on rescuing any survivors who may be trapped in buildings or rubble. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has also declared a state of emergency as power lines are down throughout the affected region and some bridges and roads have been closed as a precaution.

Italy has had three major earthquakes in modern history, the last of which occurred in 2002 in the southern town of San Giuliano di Puglia which killed 28 people. Another deadly quake in the Umbria region in 1997 killed 10 people and destroyed Assisi's famed basilica.

Related Stories:
· Powerful Italian quake kills many [BBC]
· At Least 92 Die in Earthquake in Italy [NY Times]

[Photo: New York Times]