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Earthquake: Ten years after the earthquake, Amatrice commemorates the victims

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Ten years after a devastating earthquake, the Italian town of Amatrice is commemorating the victims, with bells ringing for each of the 239 lives lost there.
  • The 2016 earthquake, measuring 6.2 magnitude, killed nearly 300 people across the region and destroyed Amatrice's historic center.
  • Reconstruction efforts are progressing slowly, with less than 40% of damaged buildings restored, and many residents still living in temporary housing.

Amatrice, a town in central Italy, is marking the tenth anniversary of a catastrophic earthquake that ravaged the region and claimed nearly 300 lives. In a solemn commemoration, the town's bells tolled for each of the 239 residents who perished when the magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck at 3:36 AM on August 24, 2016.

The earthquake's epicenter was near Amatrice, a town located about two hours from Rome. Within seconds, its historic heart was reduced to rubble. The neighboring community of Accumoli also suffered significant losses, with ten deaths, and dozens more perished in surrounding villages. Hundreds were injured, many severely, and thousands were left homeless, losing their possessions along with their homes.

Amatrice gibt es nicht mehr.

— Sergio PirozziThe then-mayor of Amatrice expressed the devastating impact of the earthquake on the town.

Images of the devastation, including a lone firefighter amidst the ruins, circulated globally, capturing the scale of the tragedy. The then-mayor of Amatrice, Sergio Pirozzi, famously declared, "Amatrice no longer exists." A decade later, the town's landscape is still scarred by construction sites and ruins, a stark reminder of the disaster.

In Amatrice gibt es viele Baustellen, und es wird daran gearbeitet, den Ort wiederaufzubauen. Aber es ist noch viel zu tun.

— AnwohnerinA resident describes the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Amatrice, highlighting both progress and the significant amount of work still needed.

Despite substantial government aid, the reconstruction process has been painfully slow. Official figures indicate that less than 40% of the damaged buildings have been restored. Residents express a mix of hope and weariness. "There are many construction sites in Amatrice, and work is being done to rebuild the town. But there is still much to do," one resident told SkyTG24, expressing a desire for the town to once again be populated by many people.

Government officials acknowledge the challenges. Guido Castelli, the special commissioner for reconstruction, admitted that "mistakes were made in the first years, for which we are still paying." However, he assured that the pace of reconstruction has improved. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to attend a memorial ceremony later in the day, underscoring the national significance of the anniversary and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.

Leider wurden in den ersten Jahren Fehler gemacht, für die wir noch immer bezahlen. Aber inzwischen gehen wir mit einem anderen Tempo voran.

— Guido CastelliThe special commissioner for reconstruction acknowledges past errors in the rebuilding process but assures an improved pace of progress.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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