 |
| Firefighters search through the rubble of collapsed buildings, in L'Aquila, central Italy, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Rescuers worked frantically in this central Italian city early Tuesday, scooping through piles of rubble with their hands in the search for survivors after the country's deadliest earthquake in nearly three decades. Entire blocks were flattened in the mountain city of L'Aquila and nearby villages by Monday's temblor that killed at least 179 people and injured 1,500. More than 70 people were still missing. |
L'AQUILA, Italy (AP) -- A strong tremor shook quake-hit areas of central Italy on Tuesday and sent rescuers and residents fleeing from damaged buildings in the ravaged medieval city of L'Aquila. Chunks of concrete dropped from already crumbling buildings and the shock was felt as far away as Rome, 70 miles to the southwest. The ANSA news agency said at least one person was killed near L'Aquila.
Meanwhile, Italian news agencies reported a woman was pulled alive from the rubble after 42 hours. The ANSA and Apcom news agencies said the young woman was conscious and speaking to firefighters throughout the rescue operation Tuesday night at a building in L'Aquila's historic center.
The reports said her leg had been trapped under a big piece of masonry but she was sheltered in a space created by fallen concrete pillars.
The official toll from the quake stood at 207 dead, 15 missing and some 1,000 injured. However, ANSA reported it had tallied 228 dead at a hangar being used as a morgue.
ANSA said the aftershock caused further damage to the Chiesa delle Anime Sante, one of the many historic buildings in this city that partially collapsed in the quake.
While the U.S. Geological Survey said Tuesday's aftershock measured 5.6, Italian seismologists using the Richter scale put it at 5.3. The epicenter was near L'Aquila.
The strong temblor struck at 7:47 p.m., terrifying a young couple who were walking in central L'Aquila to their car after bringing food and clothing to friends and relatives in one of the city's tent camps.
"I want to go home, I want to go home," screamed a woman, whose boyfriend identified her only as Patrizia after chunks of facade rained down on them from a building that had been badly cracked in the larger quake.
Her hands trembled as rescue workers gave her a cup of water. The young woman said she was too shaken to talk.
Her boyfriend, Agostino Paride, 33, an engineer, said they had driven to L'Aquila from the town of Civitella Rovedo, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) away.
