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Tuscany governor calls for state of emergency

Rosie Scammell
Rosie Scammell - [email protected]
Tuscany governor calls for state of emergency
The province of Massa and Carrara was hit by a 5.2 magnitude earthquake on Friday. File photo: Raffaele Sergi

Enrico Rossi, the governor of Tuscany, has asked the Italian government to call a state of emergency following a series of earthquakes in the region.

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The governor made the announcement after touring areas struck by earthquakes since Friday and said that the head of the civil protection agency, Franco Gabrielli, agreed that further action should be taken.

On Friday a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the province of Massa and Carrara, causing damage to buildings but no life-threatening injuries. 

A series of aftershocks hit the region over the weekend, including a 4.4-magnitude earthquake on Sunday which caused further damage and injuries.

In addition to accommodating people who have already been displaced, Rossi said he aims to make preparations for any future earthquakes. “By tonight, definitely, we will be able to host around 2,000 people. 

“Furthermore, we have agreed with the magistrate of Massa [a Tuscan town] to preemptively identify public places (schools, gyms, etc) and private [properties] (hotel), to host people whose homes are declared unfit for use and eventually - but we hope there will be no need - for other displaced people,” he said. 

Due to its geographical location, earthquakes are common in Italy. A year ago central Italy was struck by two earthquakes just days apart, of 6.0- and 5.8-magnitude, that left at least 25 dead and 14,000 homeless.

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