Grand Master sends message of condolence to Italian President Mattarella

Teams of doctors, nurses and rescue workers of the Italian Relief Corps of the Sovereign Order of Malta travelled on site early this morning to the areas hit by the violent earthquake at 3:30 am in central Italy, affecting Lazio, Abruzzo and Marche. In Arquata del Tronto, municipality of the province of Ascoli Piceno, a canine unit for rescue operations has also been deployed as part of the rescue teams.

An assessment team of volunteers, including medical and paramedicals, is now located in Amatrice, working with the staff of the department of Civil Protection in the rescue operations. In Amatrice and Accumoli, two towns badly damaged by the ‘quake, rescue and assistance operations continue unabated.

Within hours of the earthquake, Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta Fra’ Matthew Festing sent the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella a strong message of condolence and support: “I wish to convey sincere condolence for the many victims of this catastrophe. I also wish to express solidarity and sympathy and assure prayers of comfort and consolation to their relatives, to the survivors and displaced persons.”