Italy quake damage reaches EUR23.5 bn

Material damages caused by the earthquake that devastated the central region in Italy in August 2016 have reached EUR23.5 billion, according to a recent analysis.

In the analysis carried out by the Civil Protection Department (CPD) to request from the European Commission the activation of the Solidarity Fund with the country members of the regional integration scheme, includes EUR14 billion for the structural damages and USD9.5 billion for the expenses in emergency management.

In a first report sent to Brussels with data up to October 25, 2016, the CPD estimated at EUR7,056 billion the damage caused by the earthquake, which killed about 299 people.

The October 26 and 30 quakes with strong aftershocks until January 18, 2017 aggravated the situation and as a result of collective information in the regions of Marche, Abruzzo, Umbria and Lazio, has reached the current figures.

Damages to the cultural heritage increased to EUR2.5 billion, according to a media report.