During the nightly rescue operations following the earthquake that hit central Italy on Wednesday night, the small town of Amatrice experienced several aftershocks. All photos by Alessandro Iovino / Cesura
The majority of the victims are from Amatrice—a town of about 2,650 people before the earthquake hit. Only the newest buildings and the stadium are still standing.
Volunteers from all around Italy have headed to Amatrice.
Civil Protection units turned the football field in front of the stadium into a camp. It provides shelter to up to 300 people, as does the stadium itself.
There are more makeshift camps in Sant'Angelo (a suburb of Amatrice) and Accumoli—and more are being set up in the area. These only house people waiting for news about their missing loved ones.
Rescue operations are mainly carried out with dog units. Reporters and civilians are kept at distance from the excavation for safety reasons and to avoid distracting the dogs. A few moments after I shot this picture, a woman was pulled out alive from the rubble.
Army units have come with diggers and tanks. The presence of soldiers prevents the looting of abandoned homes—along with the fact that there are still aftershocks in the area.
Amatrice is essentially deserted aside from the rescue teams—the only civilians walking around are those looking for their loved ones. Near this building, I met two brothers who had both survived the collapse of their home, but were looking for their mother.
A civilian helicopter pilot in Amatrice
A tented camp from the outside. People from neighboring areas sent basic goods, blankets, diapers, and other useful things.
A collapsed house in Amatrice
