May 20, 2012 Earthquake: Mirandola, Emilia Romagna, Italy

At least 7 people killed, 50 injured, about 11,000 displaced and many buildings damaged (VII) in the Mirandola-Sant'Agostino area. Liquefaction observed at San Carlo. Felt (V) in the Bologna-Mantova-Rovigo area. Felt throughout

northern Italy, in much of central Italy and as far as

Foggia and Naples. Also felt in Monaco and in parts of

Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, southeastern France,

southern Germany and Switzerland. (reference #1053)

The two earthquakes, which claimed at least 24 lives (seven from the first, 17 from the second), hit Emilia Romagna, a wealthy region in the plain known for its food exports and industrial production. An earthquake early Sunday in north-central Italy killed six people, injured dozens and sent parts of historic castles, clock towers and churches tumbling down... Factories, homes, town clock towers, monuments, church steeples and roofs crumbled or partially collapsed in the 6.0 magnitude quake or during aftershocks.

The two earthquakes that hit northern Italy last month caused more than 4 billion euros in economic damage, Gaetano Maccaferri, president of employer lobby Confindustria for the Emilia Romagna region, said at a hearing before the Senate Industry Committee today.

About 600 industrial companies employing more than 12,000 workers were "directly damaged" by the quakes, with a loss estimated at about 2 billion euros, Maccaferri said. The area affected by the quake makes up about 1 percent of Italy's gross domestic product. (reference #9888)

The two earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks which stuck northern Italy within a nine-day period, killing 25 people, injuring more than 400 others caused a combined an estimated economic loss estimate of $6.25 billion, according to the latest Aon Benfield's Global Catastrophe Recap report, which reviewed the natural disaster perils that occurred worldwide during May. (reference #9891)

2012, May 20. Seven killed, 11,050 affected, $15,800 million damage. (reference #1250)