The earth shakes again. Since this morning Central Italy, already afflicted by severe inconvenience due to the snow, has been hit by continuous earthquakes. Four strong shocks. The first at 10.25 of magnitude is 5,3, according to the first estimates of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (Ingv). The earthquake occurred between L'Aquila and Rieti, in the Montereale area (AQ). The shock occurred between L'Aquila and Rieti at a depth of 10 km.
About three quarters of an hour later, at 11.14, a new strong shock was felt throughout Central Italy, the magnitude is 5.5. The earth shook for several seconds even in Rome. And yet another third shock at 11.25 of magnitude 5.4.
After a succession of minor tremors, at 14.34 the earth shook again. This is confirmed by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. “We are monitoring this new fourth earthquake” with a magnitude of 5.1. The earthquake occurred between L'Aquila and Rieti, in the Montereale area (AQ), the epicenter is at a depth of 9 km. "These events - Ingv informs - took place in the area south of the area of the sequence that began on August 24, 2016 in central Italy".
We have never seen a series of earthquakes occur in these ways: the succession of four earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5 in the space of a few hours on 18 January 2017 "is a new phenomenon in recent history due to the ways in which it manifested itself", said seismologist Alessandro Amato, from Ingv .
In the areas affected by the earthquake there have been some collapses: a cornice of the Hotel School and what remained of the bell tower of the church of Sant'Agostino in Amatrice collapsed following the shock. The Fire Brigade are carrying out further checks in the surrounding areas, made difficult by the presence of a lot of snow. The municipality of Montemonaco, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, is isolated: stuck under the snow and with the generators out of order.
All the stations of the A24, the motorway that connects Rome, L'Aquila and Teramo, have been closed to check for any damage caused by the earthquake that has just occurred. This was announced by the company Road of the parks.
In the morning, as a precaution, Rome's metro B was closed and then reopened. Schools closed in Abruzzo and Marche.
The State Railways has decided to stop trains, for checks, on the Terni-Rieti-L'Aquila-Sulmona (until 17 pm) and Sulmona-Avezzano (until 19 pm) railway sections. Rides are being arranged for replacement buses.
Checks by firefighters in homes in Rome for injuries reported after the tremors. There are dozens of calls from citizens that have so far reached the fire brigade operations room from citizens who have requested verification interventions.
Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni asked Minister Pinotti to strengthen the army's commitment in the places affected by the earthquake. Many collapses. Schools evacuated in the capital and in many towns in the area affected by the tremors, institutions closed tomorrow in the Marche and Perugia.
