ROME (Sputnik) — The Italian government on Thursday declared state of emergency in the regions of Lazio, Marche and Umbria in the wake of a devastating earthquake.
"The restoration [of the destroyed cities] is the priority for our government and I suppose, for the entire country. These cities have a right for the future and not just memories," Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi told reporters following an extraordinary government session which declared the state of emergency, adding that 50 billion euro ($56 billion) will be transferred to the affected regions.
A 6.0-magnitude quake shook the central Italy on Wednesday, destroying the towns of Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto and killing at least 250 people.
