Deaths in the medieval Italian towns of Amatrice, Arquata del Tronto, Ascoli Piceno, Accumoli di Rieti, and Pescara del Tronto have climbed to 268 with 387 being treated in hospitals.
The devastation has made it difficult for rescuers to conduct their work. Limited access on the narrow streets, some blocked by collapsed buildings, has limited access to areas by rescue workers as well. Officials are working to find alternative route into the damaged areas.
Nearly 1000 aftershocks hampered rescue teams looking for possible survivors among the rubble, the largest, a 4.7 magnitude quake came about 6:30 Friday morning, more than two days after the main 6.2 magnitude earthquake.
Rescue operations, including dogs, continue at full speed and has not switched to a recovery mission.
Fireman and volunteer rescue worker Claudio Catanese, 32, said the work is hard and nonstop. “You don’t sleep and your muscles hurt,” Catanese said. “But when you save someone’s life, it fills you with new energy. There’s a great satisfaction in that.”
Amatrice mayor Pirozzi said his town of 3,000 people would have to start from scratch. “Amatrice has to be razed to the ground completely.”
“And there shall be… earthquakes, in divers places.” Matt 24:7.