Another 6+ Earthquake Strikes Central Italy, Bringing More Destruction And Terrifying Weary Civilians

Months after a 6..2 earthquake rocked Italy, killing hundreds and nearly wiping an entire town off the map, Italians are once again cleaning up after a powerful quake. The difference this time around is the death toll is far lower, with many giving credit to the fears following the previous calamity.

The 6.6 quake was centered north of the town of Norcia and has left numerous historical buildings in rubble, including the Basilica of San Benedetto that has been “leveled to its core” according to CNN.

According to The Guardian, there are no reports of any deaths yet and only ten injuries form the quake with one being called “serious.” Images and video released show the aftermath, with one of the more startling scenes being a group of nuns fleeing the destruction. CNN reports that many are still trapped in the main square of Norcia and emergency crews are attempting to get to the area as buildings are threatening to crumble:

Father Benedetto from the monastery’s Monks of Norcia told the state-run ANSA news agency: “We monks are all fine but our hearts go out to those affected, and the monks of the monastery are trying to figure out if anyone is in need of their last rites.

“We rely, as always, on your prayers and your support,” he said.

The latest quake follows two more tremors from earlier in the week that destroyed many other historical buildings and may have now been a precursor to Sunday’s larger quake. The 5.5 and 6.1 tremors also didn’t result in any casualties, but many saw the loss of so many historical buildings as a strike against the cultural life of the nation according to CNN. Sunday’s 6.6. quake was felt around the nation, including 56 miles away in Rome. More information is sure to come out and many emergency workers still have concerns in the aftermath:

Sunday’s earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the US Geological Survey, making the epicenter relatively shallow. Generally, the more shallow the epicenter, the more a quake is felt at the earth’s surface, and the more damage it is likely to cause.

Rescuers have expressed fear about possible mudslides and remained wary about the risk of bringing heavy equipment up narrow roads linking the towns, villages and hamlets in this hilly region of the country.

https://twitter.com/mastellarini/status/792618518969712640

We’ll update with more information as it becomes available.

(Via BBC News / CNN / The Guardian)