This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time.
The situation
On 24 August 2016, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy. The quake hit at 03:36 (01:36 GMT), 76 km (47 miles) southeast of the city of Perugia, at the very shallow depth of 10km (six miles). At least nine aftershocks with a magnitude of 4 and stronger than 4 have been recorded. A 5.5 magnitude aftershock hit the same region an hour after the initial earthquake.
Initial reports from the Italian Red Cross indicate severe damages in the towns of Amatrice, Accumoli.and Arquata del Tronto village in central Italy. These towns are not heavily populated, nevertheless, according to international media at least 38 people have been reported killed, many injured and many more are missing.
The earthquake caused buildings to collapse although there is no detailed information available on the extension of the damages at the moment The government is sending teams to the site for rescue, damage analysis and needs assessment.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
Since the onset of the disaster, the Italian Red Cross is responding in the affected area with search and rescue teams and sniffer dogs and volunteers are providing the affected population with psychosocial support. Twenty ambulances have been deployed to the area while local volunteers are at the scene providing support to survivors.
Mobile kitchens are being set up in the area for people who have been forced to leave their home. A 24-hour emergency control centre has been activated in Rome, while the Red Cross is also working from a mobile operations centre in the affected area.
The President of the Italian Red Cross is coordinating with the Civil Protection. The National Society has set up a bank account for receiving donations. The IFRC Regional Office for Europe is in permanent contact with the Italian Red Cross to obtain information on the extent of damages, affected people and further steps.
The Italian Red Cross has not requested international assistance at this time. Once more detailed assessments are conducted, information will be shared through a following update.
The IFRC communication coordinator is in contact with the National Society and a media advisory has been released along with a web story.