The earthquake in Northern Italy that struck in the early hours of yesterday ( May 20 ) morning, at 04:04 local time has so far claimed six lives and has destroyed a thousand years of history in an instant. The  earthquake, of magnitude 6.0 on the Richter scale, was in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy, and was felt in Bologna and Venice further north. Thousands of people spent last night in emergency shelter, as aftershocks continued to bring down already damaged buildings.

Current estimates put the number of displaced people at around 3,000. Their homes are too damaged or unsafe for them return. Speaking to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, the head of Emilia-Romagna's Protezione Civil (Civil Protection authority) said, "In the municipalities most affected, Mirandola, Finale Emilia, San Felice sul Panaro, Cavezzo and Camposanto, all in the Modena province, we have had around four thousand requests for help. In collaboration with the first aid coming in from other regions, we are preparing about three thousand beds in heated tents with toilets and kitchens, alongside reception centers in fixed structures.”

Bad weather is making life worse for those who have lost their homes even more uncomfortable and according to Il Messaggero, with buildings unsafe and ongoing aftershocks, people are very frightened. A number of people are reported to have slept in their cars last night.

Although clearly of less concern than the immediate plight of the people in the worst affected areas, the earthquake has taken a toll on the area's rich history. "We have practically lost all our artistic patrimony," said Alberto Silvestri, mayor of San Felice sul Panaro, quoted by the Guardian newspaper. The newspaper reports that a 14th century castle was destroyed in the town and churches containing many frescoes were damaged.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com