Aftershocks Rock Italy as Quake Toll Hits 207

(NEWSER) - Aftershocks in the Abruzzo region of Italy this morning, including one with a magnitude of 5.2, hampered ongoing rescue efforts and spooked refugees still in the area, Reuters reports. Officials closed off the center of L’Aquila, where the latest tremors continued to damage the hard-hit town. Though rescuers fear there are no more survivors from Monday’s quake, efforts will continue through Sunday. More»

(NEWSER) - Rescuers today pulled a 20-year-old female student alive from the rubble of the earthquake in Italy, more than 42 hours after it struck, Sky News reports. "She's safe!" the woman's uncle told AP. She appears to be fine, except for a minor arm injury. As strong aftershocks rattled the area, the death toll rose to 235, with 15 still missing. Up to 25,000 people have been left homeless in central Italy. More»

(NEWSER) - The death toll in today’s Italian earthquake rose to more than 150 as rescue workers and volunteers continued the search for survivors, the Times reports. About 15,000 buildings were damaged, and residents are being warned to stay away until engineers can evaluate them. “We are working without stopping for breath,” a Red Cross official said. “We believe there may be hundreds of people still alive underneath.” More»

No survivors were found today

(NEWSER) - The first wave of funerals for Italy's earthquake victims took place today. In small towns throughout the ravaged Abruzzo region, thousands mourned the loss of their neighbors, BBC reports. A mass funeral will take place in the regional capital Friday, marking a national day of mourning. With aftershocks hampering rescue efforts, relief crews have shifted their focus to the 28,000 left homeless. The death toll is now at 272. More»

Aftershocks continue to rattle region

(NEWSER) - Northern Italy is still being hit by aftershocks this morning, one day after a 6.0 earthquake killed at least seven people and left 11,000 displaced, with thousands forced to spend the night in tents or cars. Two of the aftershocks have had a magnitude of 5.1, and a 4.8 aftershock last night brought down part of Sant'Agostino's city hall. Historic buildings, including a medieval castle, were also damaged in the quake, Sky News reports. Another casualty: nearly $320 million worth of cheese. More than 300,000 wheels of Parmesan and Grana Padano cheese were destroyed in the quake. More»