Search for earthquake survivors continues

Search for earthquake survivors continues

(Vatican Radio) It’s a race against time to reach those people who have been buried under rubble following Wednesday morning’s devastating earthquake in central Italy.

Rescue crews worked through the night using heavy equipment and even their bare hands to search for survivors. Residents and volunteers also joined in the search.

Rescue teams have come from all over Italy to join in the operation in the hopes of finding more people alive.

Pope Francis sent 6 members of the Vatican’s fire service who are helping Italy’s Civil Protection workers search for survivors still under the rubble and assist those already rescued.

The death toll has now risen to 247 and there are fears it will rise even further.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi visited the affected area on Wednesday pledging ``No family, no city, no hamlet will be left behind.''

The hardest hit areas were the towns of Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto which were full of holiday makers at the time of the earthquake.

Many had come to Amatrice for a festival celebrating its famed spaghetti all' amatriciana bacon and tomato sauce.

Thousands of residents have seen their homes reduced to rubble and for the time being Italy's civil protection agency have set up tents in the zones affected to house all those left homeless.

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