President Schulz opened the session by calling a minute’s silence for the victims of the severe earthquake in central Italy on 24 August, which killed almost 300 people, left over 3,000 homeless, damaged more than 70 villages, and in some cases destroyed whole communities.
Recalling the horrific pictures from Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, Mr Schulz thanked the Italian civil protection, fire brigade, paramedics, local authorities and volunteers who strove to save lives, provide protection and to ensure primary care.
Houses, palaces and churches can and will be rebuilt, but the void left by the dead cannot be filled, acknowledged Mr Schulz, conveying Parliament’s sympathy to the victims, their families and friends.
source: europarl.europa.eu
