- Title: ITALY: Residents salvage belongings in earthquake-flattened town of Onna
- Date: 9th April 2009
- Summary: ITALY'S AGRICULTURE MINISTER, LUCA ZAIA, TOURING TOWN (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALY'S AGRICULTURE MINISTER, LUCA ZAIA, SAYING: "We are making an appeal for everyone to stand by these people in Abruzzo and to think of them when the holiday season begins and principally to buy products from Abruzzo." PAN FROM SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAIN TO PRIEST STANDING WITH YOUNG ADULTS PRAYING IN THE OPEN MORE OF PEOPLE PRAYING
- Embargoed: 24th April 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
- Reuters ID: LVA73LN5P5H6NEIIPLRYDJ78OQB
- Story Text: Residents of one of the worst-hit Italian earthquake towns salvage their belongings as the agriculture minister visits a camp for displaced people.
Firemen on Wednesday (April 8) surveyed destruction in the small Italian town of Onna, one of the worst-hit locations in Monday's earthquake, as residents salvaged their belongings.
At least 40 people died in Onna, which was home to around 300. Most buildings were reduced to rubble.
The earthquake killed at least 250 people. Thousands of survivors of what was Italy's worst 'quake in three decades passed a fitful night in tent villages as a series of strong aftershocks hit the mountainous region of Abruzzo, hampering rescue efforts and causing at least one more death.
In Onna, Antonella Massi's home was one of the few still standing on Wednesday.
Her mother gestured at bags of clothes the family had prepared, ready to take away to their new home -- a tent just outside the town. Even though their recently constructed house was intact, the Massi family do not want to live in a ghost town.
"We are shocked because we have lost our loved ones, the town has been reduced to rubble with over 40 dead and lots of them were young -- a whole generation cancelled out," said Antonella.
Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia visited Onna on Wednesday and appealed to Italians to book holidays in the area or buy its products, in order to help the local economy.
"We are making an appeal for everyone to stand by these people in Abruzzo and to think of them when the holiday season begins and principally to buy products from Abruzzo," Zaia told Reuters.
Nearby, some residents gathered with the local priest in an impromptu prayer session. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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