Epicenter 70 miles northeast of Rome and a few miles northeast of L’Aquila, population 70,000, Abruzzo’s provincial capital.
Shaking felt in Rome, but no damage reported there 26 cities and towns reporting damage over 230 square miles as of Noon PDT 4/9/09. 283 officially declared dead and 1000+ estimated injured, and 10 still missing as of Noon PDT 4/9/09. 100 of the injured are in critical condition. 500 injured were treated in hospitals.
St. Salvatore Hospital in L’Aquila is overwhelmed with injured. Two of three operating rooms reportedly not functional. Part of L’Aquila’s main hospital was evacuated for fear of collapse. Cracks reported in hospital walls. Patients crowded in the courtyard of the hospital and being triaged. A field hospital has been erected nearby.
