Strong quake collapses many old buildings in Italy

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 04-07-2009 15:22

Italy's deadliest earthquake in 3 decades hit 26 towns and cities around L'Aquila, the epicenter. It also affected many centuries-old castles and churches in the medieval city.

A soldier seen outside the damaged Anime Sante church in L'Aquila, central Italy,  Monday, April 6, 2009. A powerful earthquake in mountainous central Italy knocked down  whole blocks of buildings early Monday as  residents slept, killing 90 people in the  country's deadliest quake in nearly three  decades, officials said. Tens of thousands were homeless and 1,500 were injured.(AP  Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

The Italian Culture Ministry has listed the landmarks that were damaged, including collapsed bell towers and cupolas. Officials say some 10,000 to 15,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.

L'Aquila was built as a mountain stronghold during the Middle Ages and has many prized Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance buildings. It is a quake-prone region that has had at least nine smaller jolts since the beginning of April. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says the loss is deplorable.

Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister said "There's been lots of buildings collapsing, most of all old and very old buildings. But seeing that other buildings resisted - the quake was very strong. In L'Aquila, in the historical center of L'Aquila, there is absolute inaccessibility."

Editor:Xiong Qu