Italy Earthquake Destroys Historic Sites

Thousands of people in northern Italy were getting ready to spend Sunday night in tents or temporary accommodations after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck several towns in northeast Italy early in the day. The quake struck around 22 miles north of Bologna at a relatively shallow depth of 6.3 miles, reports Reuters. Aftershocks in the Emilia-Romagna region continued throughout the day, bringing down buildings and injuring at least one firefighter, notes the Guardian.

The death toll remains unclear. The Associated Press says four people were killed, the Guardian, five, Reuters, six, and Italian news agency ANSA puts the death toll at seven.

It was the worst earthquake to strike Italy since the 6.3-magnitude quake hit L’Aquila in 2009, killing nearly 300 people.

The quake caused “significant damage to the cultural heritage” of the region, the government said, according to the BBC. Perhaps most significant, the 14^th century Estense Castle, which is the most important building in the town of San Felice Sul Panaro, was severely damaged. Three churches in the town were also damaged, reports Reuters.

“We have practically lost all our artistic patrimony,” said Alberto Silvestri, mayor of San Felice. “Churches and towers collapsed. The theater is still standing but has cracks.”