Amatrice earthquake: Italian PM Draghi pays tributes to victims on fifth anniversary

Follow 9News Nigeria On Social Media

Social sharing

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has paid tribute to the victims of an earthquake that devastated entire towns five years ago

Nearly 300 people were killed when a 6.2-magnitude quake struck central Italy in the early hours of 24 August 2016.

It was the first of more than a dozen tremors that hit the region over the following months and left thousands of people homeless.

As many as 237 people were buried under the rubble in Amatrice, a medieval hill town that is the birthplace of Italy’s famed Amatriciana pasta dish. A further 51 people were killed in the nearby municipality of Arquata and 11 others in Accumoli.

On Tuesday, Draghi laid a commemorative wreath at the monument to victims at the Don Minozzi park in Amatrice on the fifth anniversary of the disaster.

The Italian PM then took part in a Mass at a nearby sports field attended by local residents and vowed to accelerate reconstruction efforts in the region.

Italian government officials had pledged to rebuild Amatrice’s crumbled historic centre and other nearby towns following the earthquake, but bureaucratic problems have slowed the effort to a crawl.

“In the past it was slow, but now the situation is different,” Draghi told a committee of residents, according to a statement.

“Reconstruction work is proceeding faster. I’m here to bring you the confidence and commitment of the government.”

Recently a government-appointed commissioner for reconstruction announced that the project was speeding up amid a streamlined process to approve plans and funding. According to a status update in June, 12,000 homes had been built and work was underway at 5,000 more sites.

To date, residents and business owners have made requests for reconstruction funding totalling €5.4 billion. One-third of the 10,000 requests authorised to date received approval in the first six months of this year, the report added.

Source

Leave your comment on this post

THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

WATCH THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND KNOW THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO BLAME FOR NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, WHILE CITIZENS ENDURE SEVERE HARDSHIPS.

Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi

The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.


Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.


#9NewsNigeria #Nigeria #issuesInTheNews #politics #tinubu THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED ...
DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT UPDATES
#9newsnigeria #economia #economy #nigeria #government @9newsng
www.9newsng.com

Leave your comment

Click on the link below or Scan the QR Code to join the 9News Nigeria WhatsApp Channel

9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
About 9News Nigeria 13308 Articles
9News Nigeria is Nigeria's favourite news source. For Authentic, Unbiased News on Politics, Business, Sports, Technology, Entertainment and Lifestyles, Health, Nollywood, Crime and Investigations, Family and Relationships, Inspirations .. and much more. For Latest News from Africa and around the world, 9News Nigeria is your best source. WhatsApp +2348115805632 Email: info@9newsng.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/9NewsNG | Twitter/Instagram: @9newsng

Be the first to comment

Leave your comment