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Italy buries first quake victims Italy buries first quake victims
(10 minutes later)
Italy has held the first funerals for victims of the powerful earthquake which struck the country's central Abruzzo region.Italy has held the first funerals for victims of the powerful earthquake which struck the country's central Abruzzo region.
Officials say 260 people are now known to have died in Monday's quake and about 28,000 are homeless.Officials say 260 people are now known to have died in Monday's quake and about 28,000 are homeless.
As aftershocks continue to rattle the region, hopes are fading of pulling any more people alive from the rubble.As aftershocks continue to rattle the region, hopes are fading of pulling any more people alive from the rubble.
A mass funeral will take place in the the regional capital L'Aquila on Friday as well as a day of national mourning.A mass funeral will take place in the the regional capital L'Aquila on Friday as well as a day of national mourning.
The Bishop of L'Aquila, Giuseppe Molinari, will conduct the mass, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said.The Bishop of L'Aquila, Giuseppe Molinari, will conduct the mass, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said.
One of Wednesday's funerals - attended by thousands of people - was for Danilo Ciolli, a 25-year-old student, and took place at Carovilli in Molise region.One of Wednesday's funerals - attended by thousands of people - was for Danilo Ciolli, a 25-year-old student, and took place at Carovilli in Molise region.
The other was for Giuseppe Chiavaroli, 24, a footballer. It took place at Loreto Aprutino in Pescara and was attended by most residents of the town.The other was for Giuseppe Chiavaroli, 24, a footballer. It took place at Loreto Aprutino in Pescara and was attended by most residents of the town.
'A generation cancelled''A generation cancelled'
Pope Benedict XVI has said he will visit the region "as soon as possible".Pope Benedict XVI has said he will visit the region "as soon as possible".
We always have hope we can find people alive Giovanni Martinelli Italian rescue coordinator In pictures: Shelter for survivors Two 98-year-olds survived quake Quake buildings 'below standard' We always have hope we can find people alive Giovanni Martinelli Italian rescue coordinator href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7986810.stm"> In pictures: Damage in L'Aquila class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7989314.stm"> In pictures: Life amid the rubble Two 98-year-olds survived quake Quake buildings 'below standard'
One resident of L'Aquila, Antonella Massi, said people in the town were shocked to have lost so many loved ones.One resident of L'Aquila, Antonella Massi, said people in the town were shocked to have lost so many loved ones.
"The town has been reduced to rubble with over 40 dead and lots of them were young," she said."The town has been reduced to rubble with over 40 dead and lots of them were young," she said.
"A whole generation cancelled out.""A whole generation cancelled out."
As overnight temperatures dropped to 4-5C, thousands spent a second night in tent camps around L'Aquila.As overnight temperatures dropped to 4-5C, thousands spent a second night in tent camps around L'Aquila.
The AFP news agency reported that about 200 people had been unable to find shelter in the camps.The AFP news agency reported that about 200 people had been unable to find shelter in the camps.
"Rai [television channel] says everything's under control, but we can't even get into the tents," the agency quoted one woman as saying."Rai [television channel] says everything's under control, but we can't even get into the tents," the agency quoted one woman as saying.
Warning to lootersWarning to looters
Silvio Berlusconi vows to take tough action on anyone caught lootingSilvio Berlusconi vows to take tough action on anyone caught looting
Speaking at a press conference in L'Aquila, Mr Berlusconi said of the 260 bodies recovered so far, 16 were children and nine were yet to be identified.Speaking at a press conference in L'Aquila, Mr Berlusconi said of the 260 bodies recovered so far, 16 were children and nine were yet to be identified.
Some 17,700 people were sheltering in temporary camps set up by the authorities, while a further 10,000 were in other accommodation, he said.Some 17,700 people were sheltering in temporary camps set up by the authorities, while a further 10,000 were in other accommodation, he said.
Mr Berlusconi said he was concerned by reports of looting and was planning to introduce new legislation to impose "very severe punishment" on people caught committing the crime.Mr Berlusconi said he was concerned by reports of looting and was planning to introduce new legislation to impose "very severe punishment" on people caught committing the crime.
"Whoever is low enough to try to take advantage of a tragedy like this shows a total lack of morals and will be very severely punished," he said."Whoever is low enough to try to take advantage of a tragedy like this shows a total lack of morals and will be very severely punished," he said.
Troops will also be deployed to guard vacant homes, said Mr Berlusconi.Troops will also be deployed to guard vacant homes, said Mr Berlusconi.
During an earlier visit to a camp, Mr Berlusconi caused controversy by comparing the experience to a "a weekend of camping.During an earlier visit to a camp, Mr Berlusconi caused controversy by comparing the experience to a "a weekend of camping.
TremorsTremors
The Pope has praised rescuers, the police and the Italian authorities for their work after the quake.The Pope has praised rescuers, the police and the Italian authorities for their work after the quake.
The BBC's Dominic Hughes reports from L'Aquila:The BBC's Dominic Hughes reports from L'Aquila:
We had a very strong aftershock last night. It was very frightening.We had a very strong aftershock last night. It was very frightening.
It was a very strange experience - a deep, deep elemental rumbling in the ground, and then masonry started to fall all around us, so everyone ran away from the buildings.It was a very strange experience - a deep, deep elemental rumbling in the ground, and then masonry started to fall all around us, so everyone ran away from the buildings.
The ground really started to move beneath your feet. It was like a wave was passing beneath your feet and it lasted for 10 or 15 seconds.The ground really started to move beneath your feet. It was like a wave was passing beneath your feet and it lasted for 10 or 15 seconds.
He said the rush to help those affected demonstrated "how important it is to have this solidarity in order to get over these painful moments".He said the rush to help those affected demonstrated "how important it is to have this solidarity in order to get over these painful moments".
"I wish to tell that population the Pope shares your pain and your worries. I hope to visit you as soon as I can," he said."I wish to tell that population the Pope shares your pain and your worries. I hope to visit you as soon as I can," he said.
About 150 people have been pulled alive from the rubble but rescue efforts have been hampered by the aftershocks.About 150 people have been pulled alive from the rubble but rescue efforts have been hampered by the aftershocks.
At least seven strong shocks hit the region during the night, killing one person and waking people from their sleep in the tent shelters.At least seven strong shocks hit the region during the night, killing one person and waking people from their sleep in the tent shelters.
The tremors brought down masonry from already damaged buildings and one tremor was felt as far away as Rome.The tremors brought down masonry from already damaged buildings and one tremor was felt as far away as Rome.
The authorities say it is difficult to know when the tremors will end.The authorities say it is difficult to know when the tremors will end.
Firefighters' co-ordinator Gennaro Tornatore told AFP that his colleagues were "risking their lives" working amid the rubble in such conditions.Firefighters' co-ordinator Gennaro Tornatore told AFP that his colleagues were "risking their lives" working amid the rubble in such conditions.
Rescue efforts were given a boost when a 20-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble after being buried for 42 hours.Rescue efforts were given a boost when a 20-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble after being buried for 42 hours.
Live interactive map Historic L'Aquila reels 'Cries came from above and below' Live interactive map Historic L'Aquila reels 'Cries came from above and below'
But while rescuers had earlier expressed hope that people could be found alive, that now appears increasingly unlikely.But while rescuers had earlier expressed hope that people could be found alive, that now appears increasingly unlikely.
The emphasis of the rescue operation will slowly shift to salvage and clearance, the BBC's Dominic Hughes reports from L'Aquila.The emphasis of the rescue operation will slowly shift to salvage and clearance, the BBC's Dominic Hughes reports from L'Aquila.
One man, the uncle of a student believed buried under the ruins of university accommodation, said in such circumstances, "hope dies last".One man, the uncle of a student believed buried under the ruins of university accommodation, said in such circumstances, "hope dies last".
"But what can you really hope for here? The building just fell into the ground," he said."But what can you really hope for here? The building just fell into the ground," he said.
Between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings are thought to have been damaged in L'Aquila, making the 13th-Century city of 70,000 uninhabitable for some time.Between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings are thought to have been damaged in L'Aquila, making the 13th-Century city of 70,000 uninhabitable for some time.
The head of the Italian Red Cross, Francesco Rocha, said it could be months or even years before all the displaced people could return to their own homes.The head of the Italian Red Cross, Francesco Rocha, said it could be months or even years before all the displaced people could return to their own homes.


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