Thousands homeless after quake

One person is still missing after the second deadly earthquake to hit northern Italy’s Emilia region this month.

One person is still missing after the second deadly earthquake to hit northern Italy’s Emilia region this month.

Sixteen people were killed in the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that felled old buildings as well as new factories and warehouses north of Bologna yesterday.

The incident, which followed a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in the same area on May 20th, dealt another blow to one of the country's most productive regions at a time when Italy is struggling to restart its struggling economy.

Prime minister Mario Monti has promised the Italian government will do whatever
is necessary to rebuild a region that is so important to the country's economic health.

He was chairing a cabinet meeting early today aimed at directing reconstruction assistance to the area.

Agencies