L'Aquila Town Center before the Earthquake
Digital News Report- The death toll from the earthquake that struck central Italy on Monday morning continues to rise. Some sources are claiming that the death toll is as high as 150, with 50,000 people left homeless. However, official numbers will not be determined until rescue operations have concluded. More than 1,500 people are still missing.
Gioacchino Giuliani, an employee at a physics institute at Gran Sasso, claimed that he predicted the earthquake, but was largely ignored by authorities. Giuliani drove vans with loudspeakers around town to warn residents, but was stopped by local authorities that told him to remove his research from the Internet. Giuliani’s research documented radon gas emissions, which can sometimes predict earthquakes.
Italian authorities have dismissed the claim, stating that quakes are impossible to predict. Guido Bertolaso, the head of Italy’s civil protection agency, said there was “no possibility of making any predictions on earthquakes”. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology also challenged Giuliani and insisted there was no way to accurately predict them.
The National Italian American Foundation has established a special relief fund to help victims and their families. “Words cannot convey the Foundation’s sense of loss for the victims,” said NIAF President Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq.” Our hearts and prayers are with them and the rescue workers, who are frantically trying to save those who remained trapped in the debris.”
Donations can be made at their website.
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