2009 L'Aquila earthquake region saw dozens of significant aftershocks following the main earthquake. The strongest, which hit at 19:47 CEST on 7 April, measured magnitude 5.3 and caused further damage. According to the Italian National Geophysics Institute director Boschi, the aftershock epicentres migrated south-east, thus lessening the risk of further major shocks near populated areas. Aftershocks caused safety problems for rescue crews searching for injured victims trapped in precarious structures in the historic center of L'Aquila, a medieval city. Using cranes and backhoes to remove loose bricks and broken timbers, the crews were aware that even a small aftershock could have triggered the
Union of the Centre (1993) Union of the Centre (1993) The Union of the Centre (, UdC) was a minor liberal political party in Italy. The party was a successor of the Italian Liberal Party. The party was founded on 27 May 1993 as a "Giscardian "rassemblement"" by Raffaele Costa, leader of the Italian Liberal Party (PLI). The UdC included Liberals (Alfredo Biondi, Stefano de Luca, Giacomo Paire, Valentino Martelli, etc.), members of the Italian Republican Party (Guglielmo Castagnetti, Vincenzo Garaffa, Gaetano Gorgoni, etc.), members of the Italian Democratic Socialist Party (as Maurizio Pagani) and even Christian Democrats (as Eugenio Tarabini). In February 1994 the