The earth still shakes in Central Italy. A magnitude 6.5 quake, the strongest since the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, woke up millions of Italians Sunday morning, from North to South: the epicenter was in Umbria, between Norcia, Preci and Castel Sant'Angelo sul Nera, 10 kilometers deep, but the earthquake was felt clearly even in the big cities starting from Rome but also Florence and Naples. Even in Northern Italy and Bari there have been calls to the fire brigade from citizens frightened by the earthquake, which struck at exactly 7.41am.
At the moment there are several injured, but there are no reports of casualties, assured the head of civil protection, Fabrizio Curcio. The wounded would be about twenty, almost all minor, except for two people from Norcia and Cascia who were transported to the hospital in Foligno. In addition, three people were pulled alive from the rubble in Tolentino, where several collapses occurred following the latest quake. "There are traffic problems everywhere, starting with the closed Salaria", explained the head of civil protection. Curcio added: “Aid to affected populations must take place outside the epicenter area, not just in the coast, but region by region. We will not be able to assist people in the affected areas. I remember that this is a 6.5 earthquake, we haven't faced this magnitude since 1980".
After that of 7,41, on Sunday, be warned two more tremors in Norcia: the first, around 13 of magnitude 4.6 with epicenter between Preci and Norcia; the other around 15 and 18 minutes.
The upper part of the hamlet of Castelluccio di Norcia was practically leveled to the ground by this morning's strong earthquake, as we learn from the Municipal Operations Center on the outskirts of the city. "The panorama of that area on the Norcia plateau has changed forever", underlined one of those who managed to verify the situation on the spot. I am almost completely collapsed the Basilica of San Benedetto and the cathedral of Santa Maria argentea, in Norcia.
Now the alarm is for the displaced, in the areas already affected by the event 10 days ago. "From 10 thousand we risk reaching 100 thousand people who will need to be assisted," said the president of the Region, in the provincial Civil Protection operations room, to monitor the situation after the latest earthquake. "The affected area - explained Ceriscioli - touching, in addition to the Macerata area, also Ancona". Continuing at this rate, with the seismic crisis continuing, "therefore there is a risk of reaching 100 displaced persons". For now, 40 are calculated.
Fear also a Roma, where the shock was felt clearly and for a long time: Metro A was temporarily interrupted for checks while damage was reported to the Basilica of San Paolo, which was closed for checks after the collapse of cornices. Apprehension also for the new damages in the areas already severely hit by the earthquake of last August 24th: ad Amateur the civic tower, one of the few buildings that had managed to resist the previous event, has given way. The church in the hamlet of Poggio Vitellino collapsed and two slightly injured people were rescued.
New collapses also in Arquata del Tronto and L'Aquila in the church of San Marco, propped up and unusable since 6 April 2009, while rubble has fallen at the San Salvatore hospital, but it is usable. The earthquake took place to be precise in the south-east area of Norcia and “reenters in the same seismic sequence that was activated on August 24th and which is now proceeding,” said seismologist Alberto Michelini, of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. "Unfortunately we are not able to predict when and how this seismic sequence will diminish, nor can we theoretically exclude other earthquakes as strong as and more than those that have occurred to date in areas adjacent to those affected in recent months".
The premier Matteo Renzi he is in constant contact with the Civil Protection and held a press conference: "We will rebuild everything", assured Renzi, "they are wonderful territories. We cannot have a bureaucratic gaze. We want Norcia to have a future and to do so we have to put houses, churches and commercial establishments in order. But I'm not saying that only for Norcia". The premier specified that the Council of Ministers will meet on Monday 31 October, which will involve the governors of the affected regions "to share decisions". For the aid, Renzi explained, “we plan to intervene right from the amendment phase in the earthquake law decree, which is currently being examined by Parliament. No one should think they are left out. In the presence of deep pain, stress and tiredness, we must ensure that these do not turn into resignation".
Renzi then addressed a clear message to Europe: “Thinking of Norcia I think of the church of San Benedetto, patron saint of Europe. Today the profound meaning of Europe is in reconstruction, we will not take any step back and it is essential that there is a sense of calm and common sense”. From this point of view, the Government has also received the solidarity and support of the 5 Star Movement, through a post by Beppe Grillo on his post.
The comment of the President of the Republic also arrived on the earthquake, Sergio Mattarella: “I'm following the news with
concern and great attention. I am constantly informed and I understand the alarm that exists in the populations living in the affected areas. The intervention was prompt and effective. I express solidarity and affection to the people involved".
