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Aftershocks jolt devastated central Italy
Assisi basilica sustains more damage
October 7, 1997
Web posted at: 6:38 p.m. EDT (2238 GMT)ASSISI, Italy (CNN) -- Dozens of aftershocks jolted central Italy yet again Tuesday, terrifying residents and further damaging the region's beloved monuments.
A section of the Basilica of St. Francis -- heavily gouged out by a pair of strong earthquakes 12 days ago -- was further damaged during a magnitude 4.9 aftershock.
Officials worried that sections of the 13th century basilica, one of the most cherished churches in Christendom, might not be able to withstand many more aftershocks. About 90 aftershocks were registered in a 10-hour span Tuesday.
"The situation has gotten worse, because the shock was strong," said Antonio Paolucci, the government's delegate who assessed the damage to the building in Assisi Tuesday.
"What worries us most is the tympanum of the left transept," he said, referring to the triangular external portion of the wing.
If the tympanum fell, he said, it could damage invaluable frescoes on the ceiling underneath. Paolucci also said there were new cracks in several walls of the basilica.
The basilica sustained severe damage on September 26 when a pair of quakes killed 10 people and caused widespread damage to homes, medieval churches, towers and palazzi in the area. Since then, hundreds of aftershocks have rocked the region.
It is not unusual for earthquakes in an area to be followed by weeks, if not months, of aftershocks. But experts said what made the current situation unusual was the strength and length of time of the subsequent temblors.
Heavy rains add to woes
Four people suffered slight injuries Tuesday, mainly broken bones, in the region of Marche as they scrambled for safety after the day's most powerful aftershock.
Several houses collapsed or suffered more damage. Railroad bridges were also slightly damaged, and power lines through much of the region snapped.
Adding to the woes of the 50,000 people sleeping in tents, campers and public buildings were heavy rains in the Marche and Umbria regions.
The continuing aftershocks also have begun to take a psychological toll: dozens of people went to hospitals complaining of stress or panic attacks, authorities reported.
Meanwhile, in Foligno, just west of Assisi, only a wall remains of the town hall's medieval tower, which suffered extensive damage nearly two weeks ago, the ANSA news agency said.
Authorities estimate more than $1 billion in repairs to earthquake-damaged buildings.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Aftershocks hit Italy; Pope expresses sympathy - September 27, 1997
- 10 die in central Italy earthquakes - September 26, 1997
- Italian quake kills at least three - September 26, 1997
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