Italy pays tribute to Turkish, Syrian quake victims on anniversary of L'Aquila earthquake

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Italy paid tribute Thursday to Turkish and Syrian quake victims on the 14th anniversary of its L'Aquila earthquake, which killed 309 people.

As every year, commemoration programs were held for those who lost their lives on April 6, 2009 at 3.32 a.m. when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck.

Organized by L'Aquila Municipality, a march with torches was held in the city center in memory of those who died.

The torch in L'Aquila Earthquake Park, the destination point of the march, was lit by Turkish researcher Cansu Sonmez and Syrian Rasha Youseff, who are continuing their education in Italy, to give a message of solidarity to those affected by Türkiye's Kahramanmaras-centered twin earthquakes on Feb. 6.

Afterwards, a moment of silence was held for those who lost their lives in the earthquake.

The Mayor of L'Aquila, Pierluigi Biondi, and the First Secretary of the Turkish Embassy in Rome, Hasan Enes Mabocoglu, were also present at the ceremony.