World Trade Center lights up for Italy Quake Victims

On August 25th, the World Trade Center lit up with green, white and red – the colors of the Italian flag, to honor the victims of the earthquake that shook several small villages in central Italy last week.

So far, the victims are at least 250, according to the latest official reports, and strong aftershocks are still rattling the area after the magnitude 6.2 quake which devastated the small hilltop town of Amatrice, in Northern Lazio.

In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo extended his condolences to the victims and affirmed that the city is ready to lend support if necessary.

According to Italy’s Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, the tragedy “could have been avoided simply using different building technologies, but we are talking about medieval-era towns”.

In the meantime, the Venice International Film Festival has expressed its intention to cancel its traditional gala dinner and reception on the opening day of the event, wanting to show its solidarity out of “extreme sorrow”.

Amatrice, the main town struck by the earthquake, is located in the province of Rieti and is very ancient. Archaeological discoveries show a human presence in the territory since prehistoric times, but the area is also full of remains of Roman buildings. In medieval times, Amatrice was part of the Kingdom of Naples.

The city had already been hit by a powerful quake in 1639.

Amatrice is, of course, worldwide famous for its pasta sauce, the renowned sugo all’amatriciana. It is usually served with a long pasta such as vermicelli, spaghetti or bucatini.