EU responds to assistance request from quake-stricken Italy

2009-04-11 19:45:40 GMT2009-04-12 03:45:40 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English

BRUSSELS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Several member states of the European Union (EU) have rapidly responded to an Italian request for technical experts, who can support the country in assessing the stability of buildings damaged by a strong earthquake.

Greece, Germany, France, Spain and Sweden have already offered technical experts through the EU's Community Civil Protection Mechanism within 24 hours following Italy's request, said the European Commission on Saturday.

Further offers are expected and the commission's Monitoring and Information Center is facilitating the deployment of the technical experts.

The experts are expected to arrive in Rome early next week.

Italy has turned to the EU for support following the earthquake that left at least 289 dead and 1,500 injured in the beginning of the week. Some 40,000 persons are reported to remain located in temporary camps and hotels and cannot return to their homes either because they have been destroyed or due to fear for safety of buildings.

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