On October 30, 2016 at 07:40 a 6.5 magnitude earthquake (Richter scale) struck central Italy causing extensive damage but no victims. The epicenter was detected in Norcia, an Italian town of about 5000 inhabitants in the Perugia province. According to the experts of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) it has been the strongest earthquake since 1980, when an earthquake of the same intensity devastated Irpinia.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A collapsed building is seen in Ancarano, near Norcia, in Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A policeman patrols the partially collapsed Saint Anthony church in Norcia, Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A crucifix is seen in the collapsed San Salvatore church in the village of Campi near Norcia, in Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, OCTOBER 31: A man is seen in despair inside a tent in Norcia, Italy, on October 31, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: Coffins are seen out of their niches in the collapsed cemetery of the village of Campi, near Norcia, in Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A family is seen inside a tent, in a camp set in Ancarano, near Norcia, Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 1: Detail of a building partially collapsed in Norcia, Italy, on November 1, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A woman is seen near her belongings outside the ancient city of Norcia, in Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: The Saint Anthony church is seen partially collapsed in Norcia, Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A firefighters is seen in the ancient city of Norcia, in Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, OCTOBER 31: Civil protection officials are seen in a tent in Norcia, Italy, on October 31, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 1: A volunteer is seen at work in Norcia, Italy, on November 1, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: Rubbles are seen in Norcia, Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 1: A man cleans the ground from debris in Savelli, near Norcia, Italy, on November 1, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 1: A damaged car is seen near a farm in Norcia, Italy, on November 1, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A policeman is seen in front of the St. Benedict’s Cathedral in the ancient city of Norcia, in Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 1: Damaged tombstones are seen inside the collapsed cemetery of Norcia, in Italy, on November 1, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 2: A woman is seen inside a tent, in a camp set in Ancarano, near Norcia, Italy, on November 2, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.
NORCIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 1: A collapsed ruin is seen in Norcia, Italy, on November 1, 2016. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on October 30, 2016.