Earthquake Rocks Italy

A state of emergency has been declared in central Italy following an earthquake that killed at dozens of people. The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, struck in the mountainous Abruzzo region, 60 miles north of Rome. The earthquake was clearly felt by people in Rome, where buildings swayed.

Homes collapsed in the medieval city of L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region and the closest city to the earthquake's epicentre, killing many and trapping others inside. Historic monuments, including a church and the city's cathedral, were among the 15,000 badly damaged buildings.

Many parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line and, according to the UK Foreign Office, minor tremors and earthquakes are 'almost a daily occurrence'.

Abruzzo was last hit by a major earthquake in 2002, when the regions of Molise and Puglia were also affected.

The recent catastrophe highlights the need for holidaymakers to take out adequate travel insurance, even for short hops to Europe.

Insurewithease travel insurance includes up to £1,000 catastrophe cover. The cover is in addition £5m cover for emergency medical bills and repatriation, up to £30,000 for personal accident, up to £3,000 for personal possessions and up to £5,000 for travel abandonment.

Digg    Reddit    Facebook    Tweet This