Italy declares state of emergency in quake-affected areas
- 8 years ago
Rescue teams work tirelessly scouring the rubble to find survivors in Italy.
The death toll from the earthquake has climbed to 250, with Amatrice the worst hit.
With every hour that passes, hopes fade for finding survivors. The head of the Civil Protection Department fears the death toll might eclipse that in L’Aquila which killed more than 300 people in 2009.
Thousands have been left homeless, some chose to spend another night in their cars, others in tents.
State of emergency
The government has declared a state of emergency and will release 50 million euros in emergency aid to the affected regions of Lazio, Marche and Umbria.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also announced a plan to boost the country’s earthquake defences and made an emotional statement in a news conference.
“The first words that come to the minds of all of us are “emotions”, “deep emotions” “painful emotions” because of what happened, because of the victims. When fate divides families, it’s always difficult to accept… And us, we’re humans first, then politicians.”
International response
The EU is assisting Italy in its emergency response. Italian authorities requested assistance including satellite mapping of the disaster-hit regions from the Copernicus Emergency Management Services.
Italian chefs all over the world have made the signature dish of Amatrice, a pasta recipe known as L’Amatriciana, into a way of raising funds. The idea being to donate a certain amount from the sale of the dish to those affected by the earthquake. You can follow the trend on Twitter under #eatforItaly.
Check out our #eatforitaly campaign w/ chefs worldwide to give support for #ItalyEarthquake https://t.co/eFZZ5VZiVi pic.twitter.com/pxMx0kHvpv— Elbi (@elbi) August 25, 2016
World capitals also showed solidarity, lighting up monuments in the colours of the Italian flag.
#Toronto #Dallas #NewYork #Calgary THANKS EVERYONE FOR SUPPORT ♥❤ #ItalyEarthquake #PrayForItaly #Canada #Usa pic.twitter.com/nAKAsQqzg3— Tamara (@tamvio79131) August 25, 2016
The death toll from the earthquake has climbed to 250, with Amatrice the worst hit.
With every hour that passes, hopes fade for finding survivors. The head of the Civil Protection Department fears the death toll might eclipse that in L’Aquila which killed more than 300 people in 2009.
Thousands have been left homeless, some chose to spend another night in their cars, others in tents.
State of emergency
The government has declared a state of emergency and will release 50 million euros in emergency aid to the affected regions of Lazio, Marche and Umbria.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also announced a plan to boost the country’s earthquake defences and made an emotional statement in a news conference.
“The first words that come to the minds of all of us are “emotions”, “deep emotions” “painful emotions” because of what happened, because of the victims. When fate divides families, it’s always difficult to accept… And us, we’re humans first, then politicians.”
International response
The EU is assisting Italy in its emergency response. Italian authorities requested assistance including satellite mapping of the disaster-hit regions from the Copernicus Emergency Management Services.
Italian chefs all over the world have made the signature dish of Amatrice, a pasta recipe known as L’Amatriciana, into a way of raising funds. The idea being to donate a certain amount from the sale of the dish to those affected by the earthquake. You can follow the trend on Twitter under #eatforItaly.
Check out our #eatforitaly campaign w/ chefs worldwide to give support for #ItalyEarthquake https://t.co/eFZZ5VZiVi pic.twitter.com/pxMx0kHvpv— Elbi (@elbi) August 25, 2016
World capitals also showed solidarity, lighting up monuments in the colours of the Italian flag.
#Toronto #Dallas #NewYork #Calgary THANKS EVERYONE FOR SUPPORT ♥❤ #ItalyEarthquake #PrayForItaly #Canada #Usa pic.twitter.com/nAKAsQqzg3— Tamara (@tamvio79131) August 25, 2016