Catania: a conference to remember the Val di Noto earthquake
Evacuation exercises in Sicilian schools involved more than 20,000 people
An earthquake of Mw 7.4 hit eastern Sicily, particularly the Val di Noto, on the evening of January 11, 1693, causing thousands of victims and wounded people and major ground disruptions in different areas of the provinces of Catania, Syracuse and Ragusa. It was the strongest event in the Italian seismic history.
On the occasion of the 330th anniversary of the earthquake, the conference "1693-2023: 330 years since the Eastern Sicily Earthquake. Actions and proposals for seismic safety." Participants included representatives of the Regional Department of Civil Protection, technicians and experts from the scientific world who discussed the issues of prevention, seismic safety, protection of the built heritage and the use of new construction technologies for seismic risk assessment.
An evacuation exercise involving more than 20,000 people including teachers, students and school administrative staff took part in various schools of Sicily. The success of the exercises came from the support of Civil Protection volunteer organizations that also participated with canine units, fire and medical rescue vehicles. The two initiatives are the first of a planned series of regional events planned for 2023. In fact, the Sicilian Region, through the Regional Department of Civil Protection, intends to stimulate the active role of municipalities, both in information activities for the population and in the verification of Civil Protection Plans and related procedures, including through evacuation tests of public buildings, schools and health facilities.
In the coming months, citizens will also be called upon to actively participate in the initiatives implemented by the region to spread the culture of prevention and encourage seismic risk reduction.
Awareness of the risks that insist on the territory and knowledge of the rules of behavior to be adopted immediately, to secure homes, during and after an event allow to create communities prepared to respond in the event of an emergency.
Photo source: Ingv