Italy: Earthquake in Emilia-Romagna, farms damaged

Earthquake in the North-East of Italy: on 20th May 2012 at 4:04 am a 6-magnitude tremor shook Emilia-Romagna. The strongest tremor was at 4:04 and it extended down to 5.1 km. In the same area, at 5:35 am another 3.3-magnitude tremor was recorded and at 5:44 there was another 2.9-magnitude tremor. During the day there were other aftershocks. In particular at 3:18 pm another 5.1-magnitude shake.

The epicentre was 36 km from North Bologna, where people fled into the streets, but no particular damage was recorded – between the provinces of Modena and Ferrara. The most affected centres were in Modena and Ferrara areas.

Finale Emilia. (Photo by Luca Carrozzino - ansa.it)

In the countryside several buildings collapsed including houses, stables, barns, machines and greenhouses were damaged for millions of Euro. This is what Coldiretti recorded after taking aid actions in the country areas where warnings increase more and more despite problems in communication.

In Sant’Agostino, in the area of Ferrara, a photovoltaic system, installed on the roof of a warehouse for tools and machines in Mirco Tartari’s company, collapsed. Moreover, Sant’Agostino is situated on the previous Reno riverbed on sandy ground so it seems the water-bearing stratum is rising and it is pushing water out of shafts.

San Felice sul Panaro. (Photo by Matteo Mazzoli - ansa.it)

In Medolla, in the area of Modena, the greenhouses glass at Garden Vivai Morselli was shattereed and plants were damaged. At the farm of Coldiretti area the roof cracked and in the barn the centerpiece moved.

Farmers are frightened and so are the animals, indeed they have reduced their milk production. Coldiretti has taken action but there are isolated farms that cannot be reached by phone, so damages may be more severe.

Source: ilmessaggero.it / bologna.repubblica.it /ansa.it