Maltese rescuers in the earthquake-stricken Italian town of Amatrice have so far only managed to locate dead bodies as the search for survivors continues.
“Our dogs located something but we were instructed to leave the site as it was unstable,” John Gera, who is leading the Maltese rescue mission, told The Sunday Times of Malta.
“We later told that the Italian authorities had retrieved two bodies from the area we had indicated.”
The team of rescuers from SOS Malta were called back to the picturesque town in northern Lazio yesterday morning after emergency crews were advised to leave the area for fear of aftershocks.
As many as 230 people are believed to have died in the Italian mountain town after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of Wednesday morning. In all, 290 people are so far known to have been killed in the earthquake that hit central Italy.
Our dogs located something but we were instructed to leave the site as it was unstable. We were later told that the Italian authorities had retrieved two bodies from the area we had indicated
The town, home to the beloved Spaghetti Amatriciana, should have been bustling with food lovers this weekend for the area’s annual festival. But instead, locals ambled through the streets disorientated, confused and exhausted, many still in shock at the extent of the destruction that has ravaged their home.
Mr Gera said he and four other Maltese volunteers, together with two rescue dogs, had left Amatrice and started moving down towards Rome on Friday.
They were, however, called back by the local fire brigade to help in further rescue operations and to scan areas believed to possibly hold survivors.
This is the first time SOS Malta, which has lent assistance in places like Albania and Sri Lanka, is operating in a country which has a Maltese embassy.
This meant their efforts included diplomatic work on the ground, including accreditation and support for other rescuers.
The organisation is urging the public to make donations to SOS Malta, 10, Triq il-Ward, Sta Venera SVR 1640 or via SOS Malta emergency bank accounts: APS a/c 20000245111; HSBC a/c 006070932050; and BOV a/c 40013974950. Donations will be channeled through the embassy in Rome.