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Italy rescuers comb quake rubble Italy rescuers comb quake rubble
(29 minutes later)
Italian rescuers are continuing to search for survivors under buildings wrecked by a devastating earthquake which killed at least 179 people.Italian rescuers are continuing to search for survivors under buildings wrecked by a devastating earthquake which killed at least 179 people.
With 1,500 injured and some 17,000 homeless after Monday's quake struck L'Aquila and its region, many survivors spent the night in shelters.With 1,500 injured and some 17,000 homeless after Monday's quake struck L'Aquila and its region, many survivors spent the night in shelters.
Emergency crews were hampered by after-shocks and rain, but have reportedly pulled 100 people alive from rubble.Emergency crews were hampered by after-shocks and rain, but have reportedly pulled 100 people alive from rubble.
Authorities put the number of people still missing at 34.Authorities put the number of people still missing at 34.
Rescuers were forced to briefly postpone their efforts as the after-shocks dislodged more rubble from buildings.Rescuers were forced to briefly postpone their efforts as the after-shocks dislodged more rubble from buildings.
A BBC correspondent in L'Aquila said the strongest came around 2200 GMT on Monday and made the ground feel like jelly for a few seconds.
Latest from Dominic Hughes, L'AquilaLatest from Dominic Hughes, L'Aquila
From close up, you realise that every single building has been affected. Some have just lost a few tiles, the windows are gone, or there are cracks in the plaster work.From close up, you realise that every single building has been affected. Some have just lost a few tiles, the windows are gone, or there are cracks in the plaster work.
In other buildings, it is much more dramatic - big chunks of them seem to have slid off, and yet more buildings have collapsed completely in on themselves.In other buildings, it is much more dramatic - big chunks of them seem to have slid off, and yet more buildings have collapsed completely in on themselves.
It demonstrates the random nature of this earthquake - there is a four-storey apartment block that has just collapsed flat like a pancake, and yet the two buildings on either side seem relatively unscathed.It demonstrates the random nature of this earthquake - there is a four-storey apartment block that has just collapsed flat like a pancake, and yet the two buildings on either side seem relatively unscathed.
A BBC correspondent in L'Aquila said the strongest came around 2200 GMT on Monday and made the ground feel like jelly for a few seconds.
Survivors spent the night in hotels, cars or a tent city which has been erected in the medieval hill city.Survivors spent the night in hotels, cars or a tent city which has been erected in the medieval hill city.
At the tent city on the outskirts of the city, volunteers handed out blankets, food and water to evacuees numbering 600.
Camp co-ordinator Paolo Diani said they were having to prioritise inadequate resources.
"As far as this first night is concerned, we gave shelter to elderly people and children, while we wait for more tents for everybody.
"And the tents will arrive tomorrow for all the population."
As the pouring rain turned brick dust into a white sludge, exhausted emergency workers toiled through the night, pulling away bricks and broken pieces of wood with their bare hands.As the pouring rain turned brick dust into a white sludge, exhausted emergency workers toiled through the night, pulling away bricks and broken pieces of wood with their bare hands.
Under the eerie glare of floodlights, they combed the rubble of a university dormitory where two students were reportedly found early on Tuesday and where several more were believed to be buried.Under the eerie glare of floodlights, they combed the rubble of a university dormitory where two students were reportedly found early on Tuesday and where several more were believed to be buried.
Cranes and diggers were also being used in the rescue effort.Cranes and diggers were also being used in the rescue effort.
In pictures: Race against time Survivors huddle in broken city Row over quake 'forecast'
Several people were arrested for looting and police were patrolling the area monitoring buildings ripped open by the quake, Reuters reported.Several people were arrested for looting and police were patrolling the area monitoring buildings ripped open by the quake, Reuters reported.
Many houses in L'Aquila have been reduced to piles of rubble, and the streets dotted with crushed cars.Many houses in L'Aquila have been reduced to piles of rubble, and the streets dotted with crushed cars.
In the village of Onna, with a population 350, the quake killed at least 38 people.In the village of Onna, with a population 350, the quake killed at least 38 people.
In pictures: Race against time Survivors huddle in broken city Row over quake 'forecast'
At least 5,000 rescue workers are in the region and hospitals have appealed for help from doctors and nurses throughout Italy.At least 5,000 rescue workers are in the region and hospitals have appealed for help from doctors and nurses throughout Italy.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said the country has the resources to handle the disaster.Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said the country has the resources to handle the disaster.
The state of emergency in place means that more resources can be brought in to give the region what it needs, the BBC's Duncan Kennedy reports from L'Aquila.The state of emergency in place means that more resources can be brought in to give the region what it needs, the BBC's Duncan Kennedy reports from L'Aquila.
Francesco Rocha, commissioner of the Italian Red Cross, said the first priority for the agency, he told the BBC, was to save the lives of people still under the collapsed buildings.
"Second, is to organise the lives of the homeless. We are arranging field kitchens, beds and other items to organise their lives for the next days," he said.
Shattered heritageShattered heritage
Between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings are thought to have been damaged in L'Aquila, making the 13th-Century city of 70,000 uninhabitable for some time.Between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings are thought to have been damaged in L'Aquila, making the 13th-Century city of 70,000 uninhabitable for some time.
Live interactive map Historic L'Aquila reels Live interactive map Historic L'Aquila reels
Parts of many of the ancient churches and castles in and around the city have collapsed.Parts of many of the ancient churches and castles in and around the city have collapsed.
L'Aquila is considered one of Italy's architectural treasures, but the age of the buildings makes them vulnerable to quakes.L'Aquila is considered one of Italy's architectural treasures, but the age of the buildings makes them vulnerable to quakes.
"The damage is more serious than we can imagine," Giuseppe Proietti, a culture ministry official in Rome, told the Associated Press news agency."The damage is more serious than we can imagine," Giuseppe Proietti, a culture ministry official in Rome, told the Associated Press news agency.
"The historic centre of L'Aquila has been devastated.""The historic centre of L'Aquila has been devastated."
Are you affected? Are you in L'Aquila, Onna or Castelnuovo? Are you involved in rescue or relief operations? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Are you affected? Are you in L'Aquila, Onna or Castelnuovo? Are you involved in rescue or relief operations? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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