This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/aug/24/italy-terremoto-earthquake-buildings-collapse-amatrice-rome-people-trapped

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Italy earthquake: at least 73 killed in mountain villages – live Italy earthquake: at least 73 killed in mountain villages – live
(35 minutes later)
4.31pm BST
16:31
Donations can be made to this number:
#terremoto Italia Centrale: per donare numero solidale 45500 https://t.co/wgErcmIEpY pic.twitter.com/NSAKggQlKm
4.27pm BST
16:27
Reuters reports that six of the Vatican’s 37 firefighters have travelled to Amatrice to help civil protection workers look for survivors still under the rubble and assist those already rescued.
4.26pm BST
16:26
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has said Germany is ready to provide any aid needed by Italy. At a news conference in Estonia, Merkel said:
The pictures we are seeing are awful. We will be ready to do everything we can to help Italy if needed, and our thoughts are with the people of the region today.
Updated
at 4.28pm BST
4.22pm BST
16:22
The earthquake in Italy throws the spotlight on lax construction laws, writes John Hooper.
The death toll from the earthquake that hit Amatrice and other villages in central Italy is rising at an alarming rate. But so far it looks as if the number of fatalities will be substantially lower than when an earthquake of comparable force hit the nearby city of L’Aquila in 2009, killing 309 people.
The casualty tally will nevertheless be far higher than it should be in a country of Italy’s wealth – but much lower than it might have been. The 6.2-magnitude earthquake, like the one that devastated L’Aquila, struck at night.
Had people been at work, in shops or at school, the outcome would have been much worse. Two years ago, Gian Vito Graziano, president of Italy’s National Council of Geologists, said that according to some estimates, if the L’Aquila earthquake had struck when students were in their classrooms, “the number of victims would have been thousands, not hundreds”.
4.11pm BST
16:11
A family of four, including two boys aged 8 months and nine, were buried when their house in Accumoli imploded, Reuters reports. As rescue workers carried away the body of the infant, carefully covered by a small blanket, the children’s grandmother blamed God: “He took them all at once,” she wailed.
In Amatrice, a resident named Giancarlo said: “It’s all young people here, it’s holiday season, the town festival was to have been held the day after tomorrow so lots of people came for that. It’s terrible, I’m 65 years old and I have never experienced anything like this, small tremors, yes, but nothing this big. This is a catastrophe.”
Lina Mercantini, of Ceselli, Umbria, about 75km away from the hardest hit area, said: “It was so strong. It seemed the bed was walking across the room by itself with us on it.”
Updated
at 4.25pm BST
3.50pm BST3.50pm BST
15:5015:50
17 crews from the state police have reportedly arrived in the affected areas to prevent looting: Seventeen 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#Terremoto: per prevenire sciacallaggio 17 equipaggi dei Reparti Prevenzione Crimine della @poliziadistato hanno raggiunto le zone colpite
Updated
at 4.06pm BST
3.40pm BST3.40pm BST
15:4015:40
Christos Stylianides, the European commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, has issued a statement. He said: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.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.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.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.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. Stylianides said the commission’s emergency response coordination centre was closely monitoring the situation and had 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.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: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 #terremotoMy condolences and sympathy to everyone affected by the #Italy earthquake. The EU stands ready to help https://t.co/HqY0YW89VW #terremoto
Updated
at 4.08pm BST
3.35pm BST3.35pm BST
15:3515:35
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. Over the past seven centuries, there have been “between 20 and 30” large, damaging quakes in the central Apennines, according to Joanna Faure Walker, a lecturer at University College London’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.” 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.”
Updated
at 4.10pm BST
3.31pm BST3.31pm BST
15:3115:31
The earthquake hit in one of Italy’s most seismically-prone regions and dangerous aftershocks are possible, scientists have said. 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). The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred six miles (10km ) south-east of Norcia, measuring 6.2 on the moment magnitude scale and striking at a shallow depth of only 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. 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 4km.
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.” Bill McGuire, the emeritus professor of geophysical hazards at University College London, 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.”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. 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 moment magnitude scale is logarithmic, which means an increase of one unit (1.0) is equal to about 32 times more energy released in the event.
The closer the event is to the surface, the more shaking there is on the ground.The closer the event is to the surface, the more shaking there is on the ground.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.33pm BST at 4.11pm BST
3.10pm BST3.10pm BST
15:1015:10
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.
3.00pm BST3.00pm BST
15:0015:00
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
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.02pm BSTat 3.02pm BST
2.57pm BST
14:57
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/M68ezCgKMT
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.
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.
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.
Updated
at 3.02pm BST
2.32pm BST
14:32
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 Amatrice
Updated
at 2.34pm BST
2.15pm BST
14:15
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.
News footage from the hill town showed rescue workers being winched from a helicopter.
Updated
at 2.25pm BST
2.07pm BST
14:07
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 media
Updated
at 2.36pm BST
2.05pm BST
14:05
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
Updated
at 2.08pm BST
1.53pm BST
13:53
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/UqVrhjJCyp
Updated
at 1.59pm BST
1.42pm BST
13:42
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.
“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.”
Updated
at 2.36pm BST
1.22pm BST
13:22
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.
Updated
at 1.34pm BST
1.11pm BST
13:11
AP has footage of a man and a girl being rescued from the rubble in Amatrice.
1.09pm BST
13:09
35 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.
#Terremoto, sindaco #Amatrice: bilancio è di 35 morti #Canale50 https://t.co/JyQT9ybAWd
Rai News cites the same figure.
#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.
#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.
Updated
at 1.14pm BST