Girl, 10, Pulled from Italian Earthquake; Death Toll Increases Passes 250

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Category: World News - Europe

Published on Thursday, 25 August 2016 07:42

Written by Janet Walker

A girl, 10, after surviving more than 24 hours hanging upside down, was pulled from the rubble of a decimated Amatrice where the death toll has risen sharply following initial reports and the town is in ruins.

Only identified as Guilia, the child was reached by responders, who dug through the rubble by hand after a local townsperson insisted he was hearing noises.

The race now is against the clock as hope of finding additional survivors dims with each passing minute. Earthquake survivors have been pulled from the rubble as long as 17 days after the initial quake.

The death toll in the Amatrice Earthquake has risen sharply to more than 250. The area of devastation from the 6.2 shallow death roll has reached into the neighboring communities and villages.

More than 4300 first responders and rescue workers aided by heavy equipment and cadaver dogs are searching the surrounding villages of Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, in mountainous central Italy.

The village of Pescara del Tronto at 25km from the epicenter had initially reported scattered damage with two deaths attributed to the quake. The village of Accumoli at 15km from the epicenter is facing more widespread damage, wreackage and ruin.

The most populous village of Amatrice, of about 2000, has according to the mayor been deeply affected and many townspeople and tourists are still missing and remain unaccounted for as the map looks nothing like the pre-earthquake topography hindering rescue efforts.

Media reports indicate the region is unstable with medium to strong aftershocks sending spirals of debris ash, dust and smoke into the air.

This is a developing story.

Image courtesy of AFP Agency and used with permission.