Italy

Death toll now 275 as funerals begin, more aftershocks likely

Article published on the 2009-04-09 Latest update 2009-04-09 15:08 TU

People stand in a tent camp where earthquake victims reside in Aquila.
(Photo: Reuters)

Three powerful aftershocks occured in the night from Wednesday to Thursday in earthquake-hit central Italy. The strongest of the shocks registered 5.2 on the Richter scale and was felt as far away as the capital Rome, two-hours south of Aquila.

The first funerals of the victims of the quake were held on Wednesday and included those of two young men in their 20s.

Italy's Interior Minister Roberto Maroni has said the search for survivors will continue until Sunday. But there is little optimism and the work is made difficult by aftershocks.

Two bodies were recovered from the rubble of a student dormitory on Thursday morning, bringing the death toll to 275.

Survivors slept in cars with engines running to keep warm. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said almost 18,000 people were sheltering in tent-camps around Aquila and that 7,000 emergency services personnel were working.

Experts say that aftershocks may continue.

"It is not easy to say when everything will stop," says Geologist Salvatore Mazza. "There is no sharp ending. When you have a big earthquake, or a big earthquake for Italy, like this, you also have a complete series of aftershocks."

Mazza explains that the Appenines are earthquake-prone because they are relatively young, as mountains go.

"They are growing up," he told RFI. "They are like boys, very, very tough, they are growing fast … so this growth is accompanied by bending of the crust and, of course, breakings of the earth crust."

Pope Benedict XVI has said he will visit the disaster zone "as soon as possible" but the Vatican has ruled out the next fortnight. The Pope's number two, Tarcisio Bertone, is to lead ceremonies on Friday, which will be a national day of mourning.

On France 24 TV   Death toll mounts as aftershocks hinder rescue efforts