Italy

Thousands attend earthquake victims' memorial

Article published on the 2009-04-10 Latest update 2009-04-10 14:14 TU

The coffin of a victim is carried at the ceremony
(Photo: Reuters)

In Italy, thousands of people gathered in the central square of L'Aquila on Friday morning, for an emotional memorial service for the more than 200 victims of the earthquake which devastated the town on Monday.

Some of the 289 people reported dead as a result of the quake had already been buried.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi attended the special mass, along with senior figures from the Roman Catholic Church.

Berlusconi on Friday offered "some of his homes" as shelter for the victims, after declaring that the homeless should treat their stay in tents as a "camping weekend" on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have opened an inquiry into building standards in this earthquake-prone part of Italy. Poor quality construction is thought to be one reason for the high death toll.

Italian scientist Gioacchino Giuliani, who was working at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, has revealed that he warned of a major quake in the region and was reported to Italian authorities for spreading panic.

The first tremors in the region were felt in mid-January and continued at regular intervals.

About a month ago, vans with loudspeakers told locals to evacuate their houses after Giuliani predicted a quake. But the action angered the local mayor and Giuliani was reported to police for "spreading alarm" and forced to remove his findings from the internet.

Officials at the National Geophysics Institute dismissed the idea that Giulani predicted the earthquake.

"Every time there is an earthquake there are people who claim to have predicted it," said Institute chief Enzo Boschi.