The Foreign Ministry said this morning that it had made contact with several Maltese in l’Aquila following the earthquake which struck the Italian region yesterday.

It said arrangements have been made for a Maltese nun to return to Malta after having lost her home and all her belongings, including travel documents.

A Maltese woman married to an Italian and resident in the region said she was well, but is living in her car. It was not clear if her house had collapsed.

Another Maltese women who lives in L’Aquila with her three children said they are all well.

Another two Maltese women who live in nearby Chieti also said they are safe.

The Foreign Ministry thanked all those who had phoned to give it contact details on Maltese who are in the area hit by the earthquake. The phone number is 21242191.

The ministry said Foreign Minister Tonio Borg is in constant contact with the Maltese embassy in Rome to provide whatever assistance is necessary for the Maltese in the region.

Meanwhile, the Italian Interior Ministry said this morning that the death toll from the earthquake had risen to 179.