Italian PM declares state of emergency with quake death toll rising to 27
15:05, 6 April 2009
ROME. April 6. KAZINFORM Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has declared a state of emergency in the country after a strong quake hit central Italy early Monday, leaving at least 27 people dead and over 40 others missing, Kazinform refers to Xinhuanet.
Berlusconi has cancelled a scheduled visit to Russia, and is now on his way to the quake-hit areas, RAI TV reported.
According to media reports, part of a university dormitory has collapsed in the city of L'Aguila, the quake's epicenter, some 95 km northeast of Rome.
Italian civil protection officials, quoted by Italian media, have warned that thousands of people could be left homeless after the earth movement.
The quake came just several hours after a 4.6-magnitude tremor hit north-central Italy Sunday night, which left no damage or injuries, Kazinform cites Xinhuanet.
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