Buildings destroyed after 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Italy (Local time: 07:40, Depth 10 km)

A strong earthquake measuring 6.5 magnitude struck central Italy this morning, causing the collapse of more buildings in small cities and towns already shaken by tremors in the past two months, although there were no immediate reports of casualties.


It was a bigger quake than one which hit central Italy on 24 August, killing almost 300 people.

There have been thousands of aftershocks in the weeks since then, including two particularly strong tremors last Wednesday.

Italy's emergency services said there was serious damage in multiple locations in the central regions of Marche and Umbria.

State broadcaster RAI said three people were rescued from rubble in the town of Ussita, but there were no reports of deaths.

The ancient Basilica of St Benedict in the walled town of Norcia, almost 100km from Perugia, was devastated by the quake, the monks said.

Images on television showed one side of the church reduced to rubble, and another church in the town centre also collapsed.

Local authorities said many towns and villages already battered by the 6.2 quake in August had seen further significant damage.

"This morning's quake has hit the few things that were left standing. We will have to start from scratch," Michele Franchi, the Deputy Mayor of Arquata del Tronto, told RAI television.
 [rte.ie]
 30/10/16
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• Magnitude Mw 6.5

Region CENTRAL ITALY
Date time 2016-10-30 06:40:18.3 UTC
Location 42.84 N ; 13.11 E
Depth 10 km
Distances :
117 km NE of Roma, Italy / pop: 2,564,000 / local time: 07:40:18.3 2016-10-30
59 km NW of L’Aquila, Italy / pop: 68,600 / local time: 07:40:18.3 2016-10-30
38 km W of Ascoli Piceno, Italy / pop: 51,400 / local time: 07:40:18.3 2016-10-30
16 km N of Maltignano, Italy / pop: 2,600 / local time: 07:40:18.3 2016-10-30
[emsc-csem.org]
30/10/16
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Related 27/10/16:

• Authorities seek accommodation for evacuees of earthquake-hit central Italy
• A second powerful earthquake 6.1 magnitude struck central Italy near Perugia (local time: 21:18 Depth 20 km)