Seismologists on trial over Italy quake
- 13 years ago
Seven leading Italian officials and seismologists are to be tried for manslaughter in the central Italian town of L'Aquila.
Their crime - failing to warn citizens of a 2009 earthquake that left over 300 people dead.
Prosecuting lawyers will argue that a risks commission that met just days before the earthquake hit failed to warn of the danger - and instead gave reassurance to the local community that tremors should not cause concern.
Defence attorneys are expected to say the unprecedented trial has no foundation, as it is impossible to predict earthquakes with any certainty.
L'Aquila's city council is asking for some 50 million euros in damages from the accused.
The 5.8 magnitude quake struck on April 6, 2009, leaving over 60,000 people homeless and reducing the historic city centre to rubble.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
Their crime - failing to warn citizens of a 2009 earthquake that left over 300 people dead.
Prosecuting lawyers will argue that a risks commission that met just days before the earthquake hit failed to warn of the danger - and instead gave reassurance to the local community that tremors should not cause concern.
Defence attorneys are expected to say the unprecedented trial has no foundation, as it is impossible to predict earthquakes with any certainty.
L'Aquila's city council is asking for some 50 million euros in damages from the accused.
The 5.8 magnitude quake struck on April 6, 2009, leaving over 60,000 people homeless and reducing the historic city centre to rubble.
Travis Brecher, Reuters