German Firm Buys Tuscan Hamlet

(NEWSER) - A train carrying liquefied natural gas derailed in Italy tonight, causing explosions that killed at least six people and injured dozens more, the Times of London reports. The train jumped the tracks as it was leaving the station in the northern town of Viareggio, triggering the explosion of two gas-filled carriages and engulfing nearby homes in flames. Officials say damaged tracks or faulty brakes may have caused the accident. More»

Strongest quake to hit Italy in 3 years damages buildings, injures many

(NEWSER) - A 6.0 earthquake in northern Italy early today has killed at least six people and injured 50, reports CNN . The earthquake occurred at 4am local time, about 22 miles north of Bologna, and sent thousands of people fleeing into the streets for safety. Serious damage was reported to many historic buildings around the region, and most of those who died were killed by collapsing rubble. "It was a strong one, and it lasted quite a long time," said a hotel receptionist. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Italy since a 6.3 temblor killed 300 people in L'Aquila in 2009. More»

Three bodies have been recovered so far

(NEWSER) - As of this morning, authorities in Italy said up to about 70 people remain unaccounted for after a huge luxury cruise ship ran aground and tipped on its side near the Tuscany coast, reports AP . It's possible that number could come down as authorities get a better handle on the evacuation of more than 4,200. Three bodies have been recovered from the water so far. Early quotes from survivors don't exactly paint a picture of organization aboard the Costa Concordia after it ran aground: More»

Minimal tax on overnight visitors could raise millions

(NEWSER) - Vacationing in Venice is about to get a wee bit pricier. In a bid to save the slowly sinking city, Venice will next month start levying a tourist tax. Those lucky enough to stay in a five-star hotel will see a nightly per-person charge of nearly $6.50 added to their bills, the Telegraph reports. Those slumbering in not-so-posh accommodations will pay a lesser amount. The city of about 60,000 sees an influx of the same number of tourists each day, and hopes the move will bring in millions of dollars that would be dedicated to anti-sinking maintenance. More»

Sleuth thinks author got characters, plot lines from area

(NEWSER) - A computer expert says he has traced the real-life roots of Pinocchio to a village in Italy, Discovery News reports. Allessandro Vegni pored over old maps and concluded that author Carlo Collodi set the 130-year-old tale in the Tuscan village of San Miniato Basso, whose original name he discovered to be ... ta da, Pinocchio. Vegni thinks Collodi based some of the characters in the tale on its inhabitants and drew inspiration from nearby landmarks and villages. More»