It took centuries to build the medieval towns of central Italy, but just moments to raze them to the ground. In the early morning hours on Wednesday, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake left at least 120 people dead in Umbria, Lazio and Le Marche, three regions between 80 and 100 miles northeast of Rome.
Sergio Pirozzi, the mayor of Amatrice, said that collapsed bridges and other obstructions have complicated access to the city and the search for survivors. But local and international organisations press on. “We can hear voices under the rubble,” Pirozzi said.
Italy’s biggest pop stars — many of whom have sung at Eurovision and Sanremo — have been sharing their thoughts and condolences through social media and are encouraging their followers to make donations to disaster relief efforts. You can read some of their thoughts below.
Ignazio Boschetto (Eurovision 2015)
Un pensiero per le popolazioni colpite dal sisma stanotte… #staystrongitaly ???????????????????????????? https://t.co/eoylrkHulO
— ignazio boschetto (@IBoschetto) August 24, 2016
Gianluca Ginoble (Eurovision 2015)
Siamo vicini alle famiglie delle vittime e a tutte le popolazioni colpite da questa grande tragedia. #terremoto
— Gianluca Il Volo (@GianGinoble) August 24, 2016
Emma Marrone (Eurovision 2014)
Senza parole.
— Emma Marrone (@MarroneEmma) August 24, 2016
Marco Mengoni (Eurovision 2013)
#Terremoto, i Numeri Utili:
– Contact Center Protezione Civile: 800840840
– Sala Operativa della Protezione Civile del Lazio: 803555— Marco Mengoni (@mengonimarco) August 24, 2016
Raphael Gualazzi (Eurovision 2011)
Oggi il mio pensiero va a tutti coloro che questa notte sono stati colpiti dal terremoto di Rieti.#Terremoto#Rietipic.twitter.com/rk22vVnNaq
— Raphael Gualazzi (@RaphaelGualazzi) August 24, 2016
Nek (Sanremo 2015)
Vi sono vicino nella preghiera!#terremoto pic.twitter.com/K5pqtcYLlQ
— Nek Filippo Neviani (@NekOfficial) August 24, 2016
Arissa (Sanremo 2016)
SMS solidale per la Protezione Civile per donare 2€ anche da chiamata da rete fissa
#45500 #terremoto pic.twitter.com/Um8qjyRLip— ARISA (@ARISA_OFFICIAL) August 24, 2016
Fausto Leali (Eurovision 1989)
Jalisse (Eurovision 1997)
Enrico Ruggeri (Eurovision 1993)
Luoghi che conosco bene e che ho visto anche nei giorni scorsi. Un abbraccio agli amici di Amandola, una preghiera per chi sta soffrendo.
— Enrico Ruggeri (@enricoruggeri) August 24, 2016
Dolcenera (Sanremo 2016)
Che tristezza #terremoto Il cuore solidale italiano ha mani per scavare tra le macerie ebraccia per donare il sangue pic.twitter.com/BrUYInlskP
— ManuDolcenera (@ManuDolcenera) August 24, 2016
Dear Jack (Sanremo 2015 and 2016)
Non servono parole,
Siamo con voi.#terremoto pic.twitter.com/4rzCjEADcK— Dear Jack (@DearJackOf) August 24, 2016
My heart is heavy now with the news of the earthquake. Heartfelt condolances from America to all who are suffering. I know the Italian people will get through this tragedy and will rise again like a Phoenix- we will contribute to the earthquake relief fund – God bless !
Nina Zilli Nothing write?
Pray for Italy!
Pretty sad to see, both in terms of lives lost and history destroyed. Here’s praying they rebuild their homes and lives as best as possible.
It’s Arisa, not Arissa
I feel so sorry for the poor families losing a part of their family. I saw it on the news and i was deeply shocked 🙁