An earthquake happened on the 6 of April, 2009 at L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Central Italy.

The earthquake happened due to the movements below the Eurasian plate and the African plate. The Earthquake is of magnitude 6.3. This is the deadliest earthquake known to hit Italy since 1980. Between 3000 and 11000 buildings were damaged due to the earthquake and several collapsed. Several history rich or major churches and buildings were either damaged or had collapsed, including the National Museum of Abruzzo. Approximately 308 people were killed and 1500 injured; 20 of them were children. Around 65000 people were made homeless.

Most of L’Aquila’s medieval structures were damaged but its modern buildings suffered even greater damage. L'Aquila Hospital's new wing, which was believed to be “earthquake-proof” and able to resist any earthquake closed down due to extensive damage in the earthquake.

Initially an Italy scientist, Gioacchino Giuliani predicted a major earthquake just weeks before disaster struck but he was reported to the authorities for creating panic among the people. After the earthquake happened, the government was then blamed for not able to ensure the safety of the people ahead of the quake. There were quite a number of aftershocks after the earthquake. The aftershocks actually caused psychological trauma to the people. Knowing that, the Italian government therefore had relocated thousands of citizens to other places. Financially, there were also no problems as Italy had all the necessary funds for medical purposes, temporally tents and more.

I think that the government could have evacuated the people more effectively. They should make the buildings more stable so that not so much damage would have been cause. The people should be alert of the events happening around them and evacuate as fast as they could to prevent themselves from getting hurt.

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Information: Internet sources 1 2 3 4 5 6

Images: Internet sources 1 2 3 4