L’AQUILA, Italy (AP) âÄî 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 (110 kilometers) to the southwest. The ANSA news agency said at least one person was killed near L’Aquila. Rescuers were still searching through the rubble for survivors and bodies when the earth shook again Tuesday. 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.
Strong aftershock felt in Rome and L’Aquila
The official toll from the quake stood at 207 dead, 15 missing and some 1,000 injured.
Published April 7, 2009
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