Sergio Mattarella went to Amatrice to visit the places most affected by the devastating earthquake ten years ago, on the night of 24 August 2016 .
"On the night of August 24, ten years ago, the violent earthquake that had its epicenter between Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto, in the heart of the central Apennines, struck numerous municipalities in Lazio, Marche, Umbria, and Abruzzo, followed by further seismic sequences until early 2017. With its toll of 299 deaths, 365 injuries, and more than 40,000 displaced people, that earthquake—of whose devastation Amatrice has become a symbol—constitutes a dramatic page in the history of the Republic and serves as a constant reminder of the ongoing need to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms to be implemented in the event of seismic events to which our territory is subject," the Head of State wrote in a statement.
The President then focused on the reconstruction, which is not yet complete: " The recovery is a process, not without its complexities, which requires a commitment to be completed as quickly as possible. It is a reminder of the collective responsibility to restore the normality that has been shattered in the areas affected by this tragedy."
Finally, Mattarella praised the volunteers who had come from all over Italy: "Their invaluable and generous work, combined with the prompt intervention of the emergency authorities, have provided aid and assistance, bringing a signal of hope and a new beginning that has begun the reconstruction process."
"As with other natural disasters that have occurred in our country, the spirit of solidarity that unites the Italian people has proven to be an effective tool for resilience and containment in the face of calamities of such magnitude and violence," Mattarella added. " On this day of remembrance, I join in the grief of those who have suffered the loss of family members and express my closeness to the injured and to those who have suddenly found themselves in conditions of great difficulty."
(Unioneonline)
