Italian radio amateurs help out after quake

An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Ritcher scale shook Italy's industrial and densely populated northeast on Sunday, killing at least six people, felling homes and factories and bringing down historic church steeples. Occurring in the middle of night it saw emergency services swing into action with many injured across the Emilia Romagna region, will heavy losses in the making Parmesan cheese industry. It has been called the region's worst quake since the 1300s, striking at 4.04am local time with its epicentre about 35 kms north of Bologna at a relatively shallow depth of 5kms.

The IARU Region 1 reports that Italian radio amateurs responded. A number of strong aftershocks continue to affect the area. The voluntary group RNRE (Raggruppamento Nazionale Radiocomunicazioni Emergenza) reports that communications in the area are currently good. But the RNRE haS been requested to make one or two mobile units available to respond, if needed, due to the continuing seismic activity. No HF frequencies are in use at this time.

The aftershocks continued to bring down damaged buildings. At least 50 people are injured and as many as 3,000 need temporary housing as the clean-up continues.

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