Tuesday, October 06, 2009

MESSINA UPDATE

Many thanks to all who expressed their concern about the tragedy at Messina. I know that the thoughts of my commenters and non-commenters alike will this evening be with the bereaved, the injured and those made homeless by the tragedy.

Last night was the first without rain since storms caused catastrophic mudslides and floods on Thursday night, particularly damaging the hamlets of Giampileri Superiore and Scaletta Zanclea. However, more temperate weather did not help the rescue and recovery operation, as the mud dried like cement in Monday's sunshine.

Of 25 dead recovered so far, 21 bodies have been identified and it is thought that there are another 10 still to be found.

Funerals will probably be held on Saturday and the Mayor of Messina wants State mourning to be declared. "Are we Sicilians, we people of Messina, children of a lesser God?" he has asked.

Recovery work continues throughout the long nights.

6 comments:

CherryPie said...

Thank you for the update.

Minnie said...

Definitely not children of a 'lesser God' - and Christ did NOT 'stop' at Eboli, either!
Many thanks for the update, Welshcakes - French media coverage now very sparse.
Doubtless there are plenty of bankers and property speculators in mourning for their losses ...
But the true victims are irreplacable.

Lucia said...

watching from afar and praying for miracles!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Cherie. Thank you for caring.Hi, Phidelm. Media coverage outside Italy does seem to be sparse. As you say, the victims are irreplaceable. Hi, Lucia. Your prayers will be appreciated. We all hope for miracles but it's a week now since it happened.

Betty said...

So sad. I had heard it mentioned only once on our TV. I don't recall ever hearing about mud slides there before. You must have really had a lot of rain. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Betty. Yes, more rain fell that night than they would normally expect in a year. Your prayers and thoughts are appreciated.

Counters


View My Stats