One Canadian killed, one injured in earthquake
One Canadian was killed and another was injured during this week’s devastating earthquake in central Italy, where aftershocks continue to rattle residents and rescue workers.
“I was extremely saddened to see the tragic loss of life following the devastating earthquake in central Italy, which now includes the death of a Canadian citizen,” Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said in a statement Thursday. “We share in the grief of the lives cut short by this terrible event.”
The government did not identify the Canadians or say they were from, citing privacy. They were among the hundreds killed and injured when a 6.2-magnitude quake levelled three small towns in central Italy early Wednesday morning.
The area was struck again by a 4.3-magnitude aftershock Thursday that crumbled already cracked buildings as rescue workers struggled to find survivors among the rubble. It was only one of the more than 470 temblors that have followed Wednesday’s pre-dawn quake.
Italy’s civil protection agency said the death toll had risen to 250 Thursday afternoon with at least 365 others hospitalized. Most of the dead – 184 of them – were in Amatrice, a tiny town 100 kilometres northeast of Rome. A Spaniard and five Romanians were also among the dead, according to their governments.
There was no clear estimate of the missing, since the rustic area was packed with summer vacationers ahead of a popular Italian food festival this weekend. The Romanian government alone said 11 of its citizens were missing.
Global Affairs Canada said 72 Canadians were registered as being in the affected area when the earthquake struck. However, the numbers are likely low as many Canadians never register with the department while travelling abroad. Officials did not say whether any Canadians are missing.
Dion said he had spoken with his Italian counterpart to express Canada’s condolences and support, and officials said the government is waiting for any request for assistance.
“Canada continues to stand behind the people of Italy during this difficult period.”