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A Quake Rocks Italy

A powerful earthquake hit central Italy last week. At least 279 people died and about 1,000 were hurt. It was the deadliest earthquake to rock the country in nearly three decades.

The quake struck the Abruzzi region, about 70 miles northeast of Rome, Italy's capital. The epicenter of the quake was near L'Aquila. The quake destroyed entire blocks of the small city, reducing tall buildings to rubble.

Nearly 30,000 people in L'Aquila and in several small towns nearby had to move to emergency shelters. Many survivors settled into tent camps that have sprung up around the area.

More than 400 aftershocks, including some very strong quakes, rocked the already unsettled region in the days after the big quake.

World leaders offered words of sorrow and support to Italy. Italian and foreign rescue teams worked together to search for survivors. "We don't give up hope," said Christian Martinez. He belongs to a Spanish rescue group that uses search dogs. Pope Benedict XVI planned to visit the devastated area.

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