Deadly 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Central Italy

TBILISI - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reported that no Georgian citizens were among the victims of a deadly 6.2 magnitude earthquake in central Italy on Wednesday. 

The earthquake hit at 3:36 am on August 24 leaving at least 250 people dead and hundreds injured. According to first responders, 150 people remain missing.

The heaviest damage took place in the small, centuries-old towns of Amatrice and Accumoli.

Emergency operations are likely to be hindered by the region’s geography and could take several days, according to experts, who claim Lazio’s undulating, rocky countryside and isolated medieval hill towns significantly slow rescue efforts

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and President Giorgi Margvelashvili both offered their public condolences to the Italy during a cabinet meeting.

“I want to offer my deepest sympathies to the Italian Government and the Italian people. Georgia stands with you during this tragedy,” Kvirikashvili said.

Kvirikashvili instructed the Foreign Affairs Ministry to offer Georgia’s assistance to the Italian government.

The MFA announced that it had established a hotline for Georgian citizens currently in Italy. 

“Georgian citizens in Italy can call the embassy’s hotline or contact the Consular Department,” the Ministry stated.

MFA conveyed its condolences to the families of the disaster victims, as well as to the Italian government and people.

“No Georgian citizens are among the dead and wounded after the earthquake,” the statement of MFA reads.

Seismic reports indicate the earthquake occurred about 170 kilometers from Rome and just 5 kilometers below the Earth’s surface, an unusually shallow epicenter.

By Thea Morrison

Edited by Nicholas Waller