Illica is one of the closest villages to the epicentre of last week’s earthquake in central Italy – and one of the most damaged.
ADVERTISEMENTIllica is one of the closest villages to the epicentre of last week’s earthquake in central Italy – and one of the most damaged.
Five people died there, and dozens were wounded.
Tents now provide a temporary home for people in nearby villages. Illica has also become the base for the emergency operation.
The population is small – only three families live there, some 15 people in all. However, it’s thought around 200 were in the village when the quake struck: in summer numbers swell as people come from Rome and elsewhere for the holidays.
It was fortunate that many young people were outside at the time.
Euronews was shown round by Sandra Piccioni, who runs a farm here with her husband. The couple escaped from the house with their granddaughter. Three of their neighbours were killed.
The property was badly damaged and some of their animals died. Yet despite the destruction Sandra finds reason to be optimistic.
A calf born after the tremor has been named “Terremoto” (“Earthquake”).