Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 9, 2009

275 Dead in Italy Quake
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=23774C1:A6F02AD83191E16074DEB22F4F7AB19FC030207A0BD70133&
 
Hope for finding more survivors fades 
View of devastated village of Onna, central Italy, 09 Apr 2009,
following Monday's earthquake Rescue teams have pulled more bodies from
buildings shattered by Monday's deadly earthquake in central Italy as
hope for finding more survivors fades. The death toll now stands at 275
after more bodies were discovered in a collapsed University dormitory.
Hundreds of aftershocks continue to shake the region, scaring survivors
and making rescue efforts difficult Italian Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi said that 16 of those killed were children. He said the quake
left about 28,000 people homeless. Many are living in tent camps and
eating from field kitchens. Funerals for the first of the victims got
underway Wednesday, ahead of a mass state funeral on Friday. Pope
Benedict XVI says he plans to visit the area as soon as possible.
Vatican officials say the trip will come shortly after the Easter
holiday on Sunday. A spokeswoman for pop star Madonna says the singer
has pledged cash to help the stricken village of Pacentro, birthplace of
two of her grandparents. U.S. scientists measured Monday's quake at
magnitude 6.3. President Barack Obama telephoned Mr. Berlusconi to
express condolences. He said the United States is ready to help the
Italian people in their time of need.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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