Relief workers deal with the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy. L’Aquila is the capital of Abruzzo in central Italy and was the epicenter of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in the early hours of Monday, April 6.
Photo courtesy of European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre
Rescuers work to uncover people buried by the rubble. The earthquake killed over 90 people and injured more than 1,500.
Newscom/Sipa
Rescuer attends to injured man who was recovered from a collapsed building in central L’Aquila, some 70 miles from Rome.
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One of the many historic buildings affected by the quake. (‘Palazzo del Governo’ translates to ‘City Hall.’) L’Aquila was built as a mountain stronghold during the Middle Ages.
Photo courtesy of European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre
Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless by the earthquake.
Photo Courtesy Of Mirko Simeoni
More than a dozen aftershocks followed the earthquake, which happened at 3:32 a.m.
Newscom/Max Photos
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi canceled a trip to Russia and declared a national emergency, freeing up government money for aid and relief.
Photo Courtesy Of Mirko Simeoni
From AP reports: “Parts of many of the ancient churches and castles in and around the city have collapsed. Centuries-old churches in many isolated villages in the area are believed partly collapsed, and damage to ancient monuments has been reported as far as Rome.”
Photo Courtesy Of Mirko Simeoni
Italian officials estimate that some 10,000-15,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Photo Courtesy Of Mirko Simeoni
The earthquake affected 26 towns and cities around L’Aquila, which lies in a valley surrounded by the Apennine mountains.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey