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Italy earthquake: at least 73 killed in mountain villages – live Italy earthquake: at least 73 killed in mountain villages – live
(35 minutes later)
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17 crews from the state police have reportedly arrived in the affected areas to prevent looting:
#Terremoto: per prevenire sciacallaggio 17 equipaggi dei Reparti Prevenzione Crimine della @poliziadistato hanno raggiunto le zone colpite
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Christos Stylianides, the European commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, has issued a statement. He said:
We express our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones.
Our thoughts are also with the first responders and all those involved in the rescue operations.
Italy is part of our European family and as the European Union we stand in full solidarity with the Italian people and the national authorities at this time.
The EU is ready to help.
Stylianides said the Commission’s emergency response coordination centre is closely monitoring the situation and has already been in contact with the Italian civil protection authorities during the night regarding any help which could be requested.
So far, the Italian authorities have requested that the copernicus emergency management services provide damage assessment satellite maps for the affected area.
The EU ambassador to the US added:
My condolences and sympathy to everyone affected by the #Italy earthquake. The EU stands ready to help https://t.co/HqY0YW89VW #terremoto
3.35pm BST
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Over the last seven centuries, there have been “between 20 and 30” large, damaging quakes in the central Apennines, according to Joanna Faure Walker, a lecturer at UCL’s Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, as quoted by AFP.
Seismologists pointed to the risk of aftershocks, which posed a threat to survivors and rescue teams because they could bring down damaged structures. “Aftershocks are likely to continue for several weeks,” said Sandy Steacy of the University of Adelaide, Australia. “These earthquakes cause disproportionate damage for their size because they shake structures weakened in previous events.”
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The earthquake hit in one of Italy’s most seismically-prone regions and dangerous aftershocks are possible, scientists have said.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred 10 kilometres (six miles) southeast of Norcia, measuring 6.2 on the moment magnitude scale and striking at a shallow depth of only 10 km (6.2 miles).
Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology placed its epicentre in Riete province, near the towns of Accumoli and Amatrice, at a depth of four kms.
Bill McGuire, emeritus professor of geophysical hazards at University College London (UCL), told the Science Media Centre (SMC) that “earthquakes are quite common in this part of central Italy” and pointed to the complex tectonics of the Apennines - the country’s mountainous “spine.”
He added: “Although the region is not on a tectonic plate boundary, there are many active faults in the region, accumulating strain and releasing it periodically in moderate earthquakes of around magnitude 6.”
But, McGuire said, the record also shows that plus-6 quakes have also occurred in these regions. They often happen near the surface - something that makes a big difference in their impact.
The moment magnitude scale is logarithmic, which means an increase of one unit (1.0) is equal to around 32 times more energy released in the event.
The closer the event is to the surface, the more shaking there is on the ground.
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Death toll reaches 73Death toll reaches 73
At least 73 people have been killed in the earthquake, according to Italy’s civil protection unit, as quoted by AFP.At least 73 people have been killed in the earthquake, according to Italy’s civil protection unit, as quoted by AFP.
Immacolata Postiglione, the head of the unit’s emergency department, announced the new toll at a press conference in Rome as rescue efforts continued in the mountain villages devastated by the quake.Immacolata Postiglione, the head of the unit’s emergency department, announced the new toll at a press conference in Rome as rescue efforts continued in the mountain villages devastated by the quake.
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Italian police have released helicopter footage of the worst-hit areas.Italian police have released helicopter footage of the worst-hit areas.
#terremoto le immagini dei paesi colpiti dal sisma dagli elicotteri della #poliziadistato pic.twitter.com/UIn5HawgO1#terremoto le immagini dei paesi colpiti dal sisma dagli elicotteri della #poliziadistato pic.twitter.com/UIn5HawgO1
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The medieval church of Sant’Agostino in Amatrice appears to have been badly damaged in the earthquake.The medieval church of Sant’Agostino in Amatrice appears to have been badly damaged in the earthquake.
MAP: Magnitude 6.2 earthquake levels #Amatrice in central Italy, damaging the medieval Church of Sant'Agostino pic.twitter.com/M68ezCgKMTMAP: Magnitude 6.2 earthquake levels #Amatrice in central Italy, damaging the medieval Church of Sant'Agostino pic.twitter.com/M68ezCgKMT
A guide to the area said the facade of the church included a 15th-century rose window and a sculpted late Gothic entrance.A guide to the area said the facade of the church included a 15th-century rose window and a sculpted late Gothic entrance.
Images from the town appeared to show the rose window had been destroyed.Images from the town appeared to show the rose window had been destroyed.
The church also included notable statues of the Archangel Gabriel, the Virgin Annunciate and images of monks in ornamental motif on one of its cornices.The church also included notable statues of the Archangel Gabriel, the Virgin Annunciate and images of monks in ornamental motif on one of its cornices.
Inside there are prized 15th-century paintings of the Annunciation and the Madonna and Child with two Angels (1492), attributed to a painter from the circle of Vittore Crivelli and Pietro Alemanno.Inside there are prized 15th-century paintings of the Annunciation and the Madonna and Child with two Angels (1492), attributed to a painter from the circle of Vittore Crivelli and Pietro Alemanno.
Damage to the area’s heritage is being assessed, according to reported.ly’s Marina Petrillo.Damage to the area’s heritage is being assessed, according to reported.ly’s Marina Petrillo.
Among destroyed buildings in Amatrice, 13th century churches with frescoes. Damage on artistic heritage in the area is being assessed.Among destroyed buildings in Amatrice, 13th century churches with frescoes. Damage on artistic heritage in the area is being assessed.
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The Vatican has dispatched six of its firefighters to Amatrice to help with the rescue efforts, a papal spokesman told reporters.The Vatican has dispatched six of its firefighters to Amatrice to help with the rescue efforts, a papal spokesman told reporters.
Vatican: As a sign of closeness to the victims of the #ItalyEarthquake, Pope Francis sent six of the Vatican firemen to help in AmatriceVatican: As a sign of closeness to the victims of the #ItalyEarthquake, Pope Francis sent six of the Vatican firemen to help in Amatrice
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Here’s what’s left of Pescara del Tronto where at least 10 people were killed.Here’s what’s left of Pescara del Tronto where at least 10 people were killed.
Earlier Italy’s forestry police told AP that they had extracted dozens of people alive from the town.Earlier Italy’s forestry police told AP that they had extracted dozens of people alive from the town.
News footage from the hill town showed rescue workers being winched from a helicopter.News footage from the hill town showed rescue workers being winched from a helicopter.
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The US state department has urged Americans in Italy to contact their friends and families to offer reassurance they are safe.The US state department has urged Americans in Italy to contact their friends and families to offer reassurance they are safe.
US citizens in #Italy if you're safe after the #earthquake please contact family and friends, check in on social mediaUS citizens in #Italy if you're safe after the #earthquake please contact family and friends, check in on social media
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The Italian news agency Ansa estimates that the death toll has increased to 63, including that figure of at least 35 dead in Amatrice given by the local mayor. Ansa’s estimate also includes 11 people confirmed to be killed in Accumoli and another 10 victims in Pescara del Tronto.The Italian news agency Ansa estimates that the death toll has increased to 63, including that figure of at least 35 dead in Amatrice given by the local mayor. Ansa’s estimate also includes 11 people confirmed to be killed in Accumoli and another 10 victims in Pescara del Tronto.
#Terremoto, per il bilancio non ufficiale sono almeno 63 le vittime. Dati ufficiali e constatati dall'ANSA sul posto https://t.co/h6vJvOyp0U#Terremoto, per il bilancio non ufficiale sono almeno 63 le vittime. Dati ufficiali e constatati dall'ANSA sul posto https://t.co/h6vJvOyp0U
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As aftershocks continue, Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology has charted a summary of seismic activity in central Italy over the last 12 hours.As aftershocks continue, Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology has charted a summary of seismic activity in central Italy over the last 12 hours.
Sequenza Sismica tra le province di Rieti Perugia Ascoli L'Aquila Teramo aggiornamento ore 12 https://t.co/UqVrhjJCypSequenza Sismica tra le province di Rieti Perugia Ascoli L'Aquila Teramo aggiornamento ore 12 https://t.co/UqVrhjJCyp
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Some of the victims are known to be children. Save the Children expressed its sadness and warned that children who survived were especially vulnerable to psychological trauma.Some of the victims are known to be children. Save the Children expressed its sadness and warned that children who survived were especially vulnerable to psychological trauma.
Its chief executive, Valerio Neri, said: “Children are the most vulnerable during emergencies and the impact of such events on their psyche is especially traumatic.Its chief executive, Valerio Neri, said: “Children are the most vulnerable during emergencies and the impact of such events on their psyche is especially traumatic.
“To help children cope with the trauma, it is important that parents and carers find a way to stay close to them and make them feel that they are safe and secure. It is important talk and play with them and, above all, listen. It is also important to prevent your children watching television and seeing images of the disaster.”“To help children cope with the trauma, it is important that parents and carers find a way to stay close to them and make them feel that they are safe and secure. It is important talk and play with them and, above all, listen. It is also important to prevent your children watching television and seeing images of the disaster.”
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Photographer Massimo Percossi captured what is likely to be one of the most enduring images of the earthquake. It shows an injured nun in Amatrice checking her mobile phone as she sat next to a victim laid out on ladder and covered in a blanket.Photographer Massimo Percossi captured what is likely to be one of the most enduring images of the earthquake. It shows an injured nun in Amatrice checking her mobile phone as she sat next to a victim laid out on ladder and covered in a blanket.
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AP has footage of a man and a girl being rescued from the rubble in Amatrice.AP has footage of a man and a girl being rescued from the rubble in Amatrice.
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35 dead in Amatrice35 dead in Amatrice
At least 35 people have been killed in the town of Amatrice alone, Sky News Italy reports, citing the mayor, Sergio Perozzi.At least 35 people have been killed in the town of Amatrice alone, Sky News Italy reports, citing the mayor, Sergio Perozzi.
#Terremoto, sindaco #Amatrice: bilancio è di 35 morti #Canale50 https://t.co/JyQT9ybAWd#Terremoto, sindaco #Amatrice: bilancio è di 35 morti #Canale50 https://t.co/JyQT9ybAWd
Rai News cites the same figure.Rai News cites the same figure.
#terremoto +++ 35 vittime accertate solo ad #Amatrice +++ pic.twitter.com/QfF63xKqsw#terremoto +++ 35 vittime accertate solo ad #Amatrice +++ pic.twitter.com/QfF63xKqsw
The Italian Red Cross continues to search for survivors in the rubble of Amatrice.The Italian Red Cross continues to search for survivors in the rubble of Amatrice.
#Terremoto Amatrice, continuano le ricerche dei dispersi fra le macerie. Volontari #CRI sul posto. #UnItaliacheaiuta pic.twitter.com/19HQhZkpZF#Terremoto Amatrice, continuano le ricerche dei dispersi fra le macerie. Volontari #CRI sul posto. #UnItaliacheaiuta pic.twitter.com/19HQhZkpZF
AP has this video of rescue efforts in Amatrice.AP has this video of rescue efforts in Amatrice.
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