It hit at around 3 in the morning and left death and destruction in its wake. Thousands have lost their homes, over 150 have lost their lives and some 250 are still unaccounted for.
Children have died. Families have been destroyed.
Italy’s emergency services are doing a sterling job in trying to drag survivors from rubble in the earthquake struck zone around the southern Italian city of L’Aquila. Messages of support have been flooding in from around the world, and even poverty struck Albania has offered a €50,000 contribution to the disaster fund. A state of emergency has been declared in the afflicted zone.
Yet even as the dust settles, evidence is emerging that some of the deaths could have been avoided.
UPDATE: 7th April 2009 – Links to Maps added
Modern Buildings Damaged
In theory, buildings of recent construction should be built to withstand earthquakes in what is an earthquake prone country. Questions will no doubt be asked why some buildings did not prove to be as robust as perhaps they should have been.
The answer though will become evident – it will most probably be revealed that unscrupulous developers were cutting corners in an attempt to winden profit margins.
Correction – 7th April 2009
With thanks to reader Licia for pointing out this error – the following section ‘A Warning Was Given‘ should be ignored. It transpires that Gioacchino Giuliani is not a Seismologist. Even Reuters was caught out by the inaccuracy of the information floating around.
Please see Licia’s comments below for links to a press release and a blog post, both in Italian, on the misleading information regarding Gioacchino Giuliani. Apparently Gioacchino Giuliani was a form of amateur seismologist who had been studying the area for many years. His studies focused on radon gas emissions, and he believed there was reason for concern, although local authorities did not think his warnings were valid.
A Warning Was Given
“Italian Seismologist Gioacchino Giuliani was forced to take his findings off the Internet and was reported to police for “spreading alarm,” according to Reuters.” – FOXNews.com.
However Italy’s National Geophysics Institute head Enzo Boshci maintains that it is impossible to predict earthquakes. Seismologist Gioacchino Giuliani’s warning that a calamitous quake was about to hit the zone was based on levels of radon gas in the area.
Perhaps more heed will be paid to similar warnings in future, especially when they are voiced by seismologists.
Here is a YouTube video of the occurrence, which touched 5.8 on the Richter Scale:
A Map Showing the Area of the city of L’Aquila Hit by the April 2009 Earthquake
The map can be found here on Il Sole 24 ORE: L’Aquila / La mappa delle zone colpite
A Relief Type Map of Entire Area in Abruzzo Hit by the April 2009 Earthquake
The map can be found on the web site of IL Sole 24 ORE: INFOGRAFICA / La dinamica del sisma
This is where the epicentre of the earthquake was – link to Google Maps: Paganinca, Abruzzo
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Politicians Give Assurances, Again
Italy’s powers that be are already telling the country’s populous to rest assured that measures will be taken to ensure that future incidents like this will not cause widespread havoc. Such assurances had been given before. Yet this incident happened.
This is called ‘shutting the door after the horse has bolted’. The furore will simmer down, and not a fat lot will be done. Indeed, the same door has been shut after several horses have bolted – but then this is common in Italy, alas. How many lives have to be lost?
This is a sad day in Italy. A sad day for Italy.
About Alex Roe
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Hello, so glad to have found your blog and will favorite it and revisit. Your quote about the “Living Museum” captures my feeling about Italy also. I have cousins near Lanciano, actually near Villa Santa Maria. Do you know if the damage extended that far South? Thanks in advance for any information.
Dear Meremortal,
Looking at the maps of the earthquake, and having had a quick look at the Chieti council site, although Chieti was hit – damaged bus terminal http://www.provincia.chieti.it/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1257 – in Italian – it looks as though both Lanciano and Villa Santa Maria were on the very borders of the area hit by the quake – so if there was damage, it should have been light. I’m not certain of this, so if anyone reading has more info on these two places, please let us know.
This is where Lanciano is on Google Maps: http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=Lanciano&sll=42.206142,14.245148&sspn=0.345862,0.860367&gl=it&ie=UTF8&ll=42.233093,14.391403&spn=0.345714,0.860367&z=11&iwloc=addr
Hope that helps a little, and that your cousins are safe and sound,
Best regards,
Alex
The issue is though that I believe that earthquakes are difficult to predict. Of course in a seismologically active area such as Italy earthquakes are likely to occur. We can say that Los Angeles and San Francisco will are due for a catastrophic earthquake, but I don’t think anyone can predict when it will happen.
Hi Guido,
It is true that earthquakes are notoriously difficult to predict – but I suppose my point is if a seismologist, of all people, starts jumping up and down, then maybe others should have investigated.
Perhaps simply alerting people that there was a stronger than normal possibility may have helped save a few lives.
While earthquakes are unpredictable, I can’t believe that there are not some signs that could have started sirens sounding. The Chinese seem to be better than most at predicting earthquakes, see this Wikipedia entry for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_prediction
Surely one or two false alarms are better than zero warning.
All the best from Italy,
Alex
Hi Alex,
as an Italian, I would say all the polemics about the earthquake warnings are so typically Italian. Our media are very quick to pick up on such things without verifying all the facts first, and indeed today some are already backtracking.
Apparently the affected area had been experiencing tremors and shocks for months, on a daily basis, some with a magnitude greater than 4 on the Richter scale, and a few schools and public buildings in L’Aquila had been closed weeks ago. Last night it also turned out that the expert quoted by the Italian media was not a qualified seismologist (press release) and his forecasts were not very accurate — he had claimed the earthquake would occur on 29 March and in a different area (Sulmona), yet he kept quiet before yesterday’s tragic events. More details here (in Italian).
On a totally different note, I heard that L’Aquila was often mispronounced in English-speaking news, e.g. /la’ki:la/ or /la’kwi:la/, so for those who do not speak Italian it might be useful to mention that the stress is on the first sillable: /’la:kwila/.
Licia
Hi Licia,
Hope you and yours have not been affected by this.
“as an Italian, I would say all the polemics about the earthquake warnings are so typically Italian” – and I would agree. Too much fuss, but probably not enough action – at least not in the long term. Very Italian.
“Last night it also turned out that the expert quoted by the Italian media was not a qualified seismologist (press release) and his forecasts were not very accurate — he had claimed the earthquake would occur on 29 March and in a different area (Sulmona), yet he kept quiet before yesterday’s tragic events. More details here (in Italian).” – your links don’t work – can you point me in the right direction? Thanks for this.
And thanks for the pronunciation tips!
Best from Milan,
Alex
Sorry, here you are:
http://www.inaf.it/ufficio-stampa/comunicati-stampa-del-2009/terremoto-abruzzo/terremoto-abruzzo/?searchterm=giuliani
http://cattaneo-lescienze.blogautore.espresso.repubblica.it/2009/04/06/prevedere-i-terremoti-o-adeguare-gli-edifici/
I live in Milan and my family are all in Northern Italy, so we are all fine, thanks for asking! I don’t know anyone in Abruzzo, but friends in different parts of Lazio said it was quite scary even if no damage was done where they live — hard to imagine how terrifying it must have been, and still is, for those in the affected area.
The Porta a Porta special last night was very revelatory. Striking images shot from a helicopter just blew me away, and Bruno Vespa lives there.
They keep saying it was mostly old or very old buildings that fell, but a lot of the pancaked and fallen over buildings look like post 1960 construction to me, and I am not an amateur.
My report is a bit more emotional than yours! http://www.judithgreenwood.com/thinkonit/
Thanks Licia – good to hear you and yours are OK
As for the terror, this is something I noticed from the news coverage. Lots of terrified faces – but the Abruzzo people seem to be bearing up well, all things considered. Although many are in a state of shock. It’s the rapidity with which these things hit which scares me.
It really must have been horrific to have been in the middle of this disaster – it’s frightening just to think about it.
Kindest regards,
Alexc
could’ve would’ve should’ve (typically italien) my dad is retired in this beutiful region and not part of the list of victims; thanfully he live just out of Teramo and was spared.
Our thoughts go to those who weren;t and how to get the help needed to the homeless and wounded.
Great blog keep it going!!
Hi Roberto,
Great to hear that your dad is OK!
As for helping all the people caught up in this, it looks as though things are going well. Emergency accommodation, field hospitals, and kitchens are being set up.
Hotel accommodation is being made available, and other Italians are offering to put those affected up.
Best regards,
Alex
Hi Alex,
Just discovered your blog, thanks for it. Most of my mom’s cousins and our extended family lived in L’Aquila and we have had no news of them. A cousin left for Italy last night although I’m not sure she realized she wouldn’t get to L’Aquila since the road from Rome was closed. I’ve contacted all local (DC) Italian-American organizations as well as friends in Milan and written to the Protezione Civile. If you know of any assistance efforts that will start in the future and welcome helping hands, I’d appreciate knowing of them. I last visited relatives in L’Aquila in 1989 and fell in love with the city – its beauty, traditions, and incredible “forte e gentile” Abruzzese spirit. Would like to help in whatever way possible, here and/or there, since donations don’t seem like enough. The people will need our help in the months to come beyond the immediate media attention. That powerful ancestral pull is also reflected in the current suffering and joys. It’s empowering to see children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Abruzzese origin mobilizing around the world to send help. May the spirit of L’Aquila, like the eagle, rise out of the destruction. Thanks for letting me know if you hear of any reconstruction or assistance efforts that welcome volunteers.
Best
Kirsten
Hi Kirsten,
Thanks for the kind words. Although it may well be painful to do so, you might like to see this recent post http://italychronicles.com/list-of-the-deceased-abruzzo-earthquake-italy/
I’m sure the Abruzzo region will pull through this crisis – it is a beautiful area of Italy, and the people, as you point out, certainly give the impression of being “forte e gentile”.
Kind regards,
Alex
Hello. I live in Manchester,England and have a property and friends in Guardigrele near to Chieti. Does anybody know if the area of Guardiagrele was damaged at all as I have so far been unable to get in touch with any of my friends or if my house will be ok. Please could you let me know if you have any information.
Many thanks
Nigel
Hello Nigel,
I’ve had a bit of a hunt around the web, and found a site with information on Guardiagrele in Italian.
From what I’ve read, Guardiagrele was outside the worst hit area:
http://www.guardiagrelesociale.it/news/aprile-2109-page3
- if you can read Italian, you will discover that although schools were closed as a safety precaution, checks showed that schools buildings were not damaged. So it looks as though the town is OK.
Indeed, if you look at this webcam, which is the centre of Guardiagrele, things seem to be OK:
http://www.majella.com/modules.php?name=Web_Cam
I suspect that phone lines and mobile repeater stations in the earthquake area were damaged and that this is causing communications problems.
You could try leaving a message here:
http://www.guardiagrelesociale.it/contatti-18
Hope that helps,
Alex
Alex
Thank you so much. I can relax a little now before I head out in a few weeks.
Thanks again
Nigel
You are welcome Nigel.
Glad to have been of assistance
Best regards,
Alex
Hi,
My name is Marily and I live in Belgium. I am a scout leader and a few months ago, we started planning our 3-annual international trip. We chose the beautiful and relatively unknown (at least in Belgium, up until now) region of Abruzzo.
Like everyone, we were shocked about the earthquake news. It’s so terrible for all those who have lost significant others or valuable possessions.
We have no idea whether our trip can still go on. It was basically a hiking trip through the wonderful Gran Sasso e Monti dell Laga National Park with stops in S. Stefano di Sessanio-Calascio-Castel del Monte-Campo Imperatore-Fonte Vetica-Vado Siella-Castelli-Isola del Gran Sasso-Montorio al Vomano-Pietracamela-Prato di Tivo-Tossicia.
Does anyone know whether these areas have been severly damaged? Will the Gran Sasso area still be accessible in July?
We have already contacted the international scouts organisation and offered our help to rebuild houses etc. We hope we’ll get the permission to volunteer a few days. There are 40 of us and we are willing to offer any kind of help.
greets, Marily
Hi Marily,
The Abruzzo region was a great choice for your annual scouts trip – as you say, Abruzzo is a beautiful region, and not that well known outside of Italy – everyone heads for Tuscany!
Now, S. Stefano di Sessanio was badly hit by the quake, so it might not be a good place to visit – I’ve no idea what the situation will be like in July, but things often move at a snails pace in Italy, so I would carry out lots of checks before finalising any plans – if you have not done so already. Here is a short video of the damage in S. Stefano di Sessanio
http://www.la7.it/news/dettaglio_video.asp?cat=cronaca&id_video=24717
Calascio was also badly hit, with some 40% of its buildings having been rendered uninhabitable, article, in Italian here: http://abruzzoblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/terremoto-carapelle-calvisio-inagibile.html
Castel del Monte, also damaged – the centre of the village has been declared inaccessible. The bell tower collapsed and many houses have been damaged by the initial quake on April 6, and the subsequent aftershocks: more info here in Italian:
http://www.pagineabruzzo.it/articoli/speciali/16550.php
Campo Imperatore – looks as though it is OK, but I can’t find anything concrete on the place.
Fonte Vetica was possibly just outside the area hit by the quake – again I cannot find any real information about the place – it should be OK, but I cannot be 100% certain.
Must go for the moment – will have a go at checking out the other places you listed, if you like.
I’m not too sure I would take scouts into the area in the near future, and if did decide to, it would only be in the basis of plenty of information on it, which is something I am sure you will search for. Shortly, I’ll post a link to where you can follow seismic activity in the area – to see if the tremors are diminishing, remaining constant, or increasing.
Hope this helps a little.
Will write more later,
Best,
Alex
Hi Alex,
this really helps a lot! It’s by far the most detailed information we’ve had. We don’t speak Italian, so it’s not always easy to understand everything.
We planned on starting our hiking itinerary in S.Stefano di Sessanio, but maybe we should start near Montorio al Vomano, where the area isn’t damaged.
We will certainly follow up carefully the updates on the seismic activity.
greets,
Marily
You are welcome Marily – glad my knowledge of Italian is proving to be of some use!
Here is part two:
Vado Siella – looks as though this a part of a mountain trail: http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=Vado+Siella&sll=41.442726,12.392578&sspn=22.366994,55.063477&ie=UTF8&ll=42.513614,13.829041&spn=0.688347,1.720734&z=10&iwloc=A
This is within the earthquake area, so you would need to check whether trails are still open, and have not been blocked by falling rocks etc.
Castelli – I’ve seen something which indicates that this place was affected, but I do not know if the information is reliable.
Isola del Gran Sasso – this is a park area. On 16th April, an article stating that the park workers are back to work seems to indicate that this zone is OK. Again though, trails might be blocked, but if this is the case, and I do not know, the worst should be cleared by July, I imagine.
Montorio al Vomano – I spoke to Domenico Barnabei, head of general affairs, at the Montorio al Vomano council, and he told me that there was some damage, and some buildings were not habitable, but the impression he gave me was that the situation is under control. When I asked about coming to Montorio al Vomano in July, he indicated that he did not think there would be problems. This is the council website, but it is all in Italian: http://www.comune.montorio.te.it/
Pietracamela – not sure. Will give them a ring, and will call a hotel or two in the Prati di Tivo and Tossicia areas to see what the situation is.
This link will allow you to keep an eye on seismic events in Abruzzo (look for Aquilano entries) and elsewhere: http://www.ingv.it/
Magnitudo = Magnitude – which I think is Richter scale, but am not 100% sure.
Will let you have more info when I have it.
Best,
Alex
Hi Alex,
thanks again for your time and effort!! The website on seismic events is very useful.
Where do you live in Italy?
We will be waiting for your next update.
greets,
Marily
Do you know of the extent of the damage in Calascio?
We are supposed to be staying there next month.
Thank you!
Hi, Brad,
I don’t know about Calascio, but I’ll have a look and get back to you.
Best regards,
Alex