| Date | May 6, 1976 |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 6.4 Magnitude Richter |
| Countries or regions | Italy Yugoslavia |
| Max. intensity | X |
| Casualties | 989 dead, 2400 injured |
The 1976 Friuli earthquake took place in the Friuli region in northeast Italy on Thursday, May 6, 1976. Measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale, the quake, centered on the town of Gemona del Friuli, killed 989 people, 2400 injured and left 157,000 homeless[1]. It is known in Italy as Terremoto del Friuli (Friulian earthquake).
The quake struck at 21:06 pm. There were many aftershocks with the most intense one on 15 September 1976 at 09:21 am, causing further damage to buildings[2].
77 villages in the Friuli region were affected. Gemona del Friuli was greatly damaged and despite extensive emergency measures and international aid by the end of 1976 15000 people were still living in camping trailers, 1000 in tents and 25000 in evacuation centres. The damage was estimated at $4.25 billion[3]. Much of the town has since been reconstructed. The tremour was felt in Venice as well as neighbouring Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia (at the time SFR Yugoslavia). In Slovenia, the upper Soča valley and the Brda area was particularly affected, with the village of Breginj nearly completely demolished. The earthquake damaged several buildings in Nova Gorica and was felt also in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.
The Italian Government nominated Chamber of Deputies member Giuseppe Zamberletti as leader of aids' coordination. He was given the chance of collaborating with the local Administration. The national funds were assigned to the reconstruction of the spoilt buildings by Zamberletti and the regional management of Friuli Venezia Giulia. From September to December 1976 all the earthquake victims were accommodated into prefabricated buildings, in order to cope the winter in sake. After Zamberletti's mandate the regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia could totally rebuild many towns, thanks to an accurate resource management. Nowadays, many years after the tragedy, Friuli Venezia Giulia and State's intervention is seen as a great example of efficiency and reliability.
This event gave also the opportunity of encouraging the foundation of the "Protezione Civile " (the Italian Civil Defense body that deals with national prediction, prevention and management of exceptional events).