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Consumer groups urge protection of quake zones

26 agosto 2016 | 16.00
LETTURA: 2 minuti

Photo: - AFP
Photo: - AFP

Consumer groups on Friday called on Italy's authorities to safeguard the earthquake-hit central Apennine area, blaming the deadly devastation on "a lack of prevention".

"An earthquake, like a landslide or a flood does not determine the amount of damage, deaths and injuries - this is a consequence of a lack of prevention," said Federconsumatori and Adusbef in a statement.

The groups said while aid must continue to reach victims, reconstruction must begin "at once" under a "concrete" plan to prevent graft and ensure all new and existing buildings are genuinely earthquake-proof.

"We need to check that building work is carried out correctly and that unacceptable corrupt practices are stamped out" read the statement.

Premier Matteo Renzi has pledged 50 million euros of funds for rebuilding quake-hit towns in central Italy, several of which were flattened by Wednesday's magnitude 6.2 quake 100 kilometres northeast of Rome.

More than 260 people were killed, 400 injured and several thousand have been left homeless in the border area between the Lazio, Umbria and Marche regions, where the quake struck.

Renzi also cancelled taxes for residents and announced a new initiative, "Italian Homes", to tackle criticism over shoddy construction.

But he also said that it was "absurd" to think that Italy could build completely quake-proof buildings.

There has been criticism in the Italian press over building standards in high-risk areas. Some of the buildings that collapsed had recently been renovated, like the school in the quake-devastated town of Amatrice, which was supposedly earthquake-proof.

Historic towns like Amatrice do not have to conform to anti-quake building regulations, which are also often not applied when new buildings are put up.

Italy also has a poor record of rebuilding after earthquakes.

Over 8,000 people left homeless after a deadly earthquake in L'Aquila in 2009 are still living in temporary accommodation.

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