A decade after earthquake, Italy's Amatrice struggles to rebuild
In the early hours of August 24, 2016, Giorgio Cortellesi stumbled through the dust and darkness of Amatrice, fearing his children were dead, buried beneath tons of rubble.
On August 24, 2016, a devastating 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Amatrice, Italy, claiming the lives of 237 people out of a total death toll of 303. Giorgio Cortellesi, the mayor elected in 2021, was among those who rushed to the scene to find his two young sons alive amidst the rubble. He vowed to help rebuild his town if his sons survived.
Despite the state's promise to fund the reconstruction with €22.7 billion, only 38% of damaged properties in Amatrice have been restored, and many families continue to live in temporary shelters. The pandemic further disrupted rebuilding efforts, and Italy's Superbonus renovation scheme, meant to spur economic recovery, caused delays and cost increases.
Many residents, like chef Daniele Bonanni, feel trapped by financial burdens and emotional ties to their lost homes. The mayor acknowledges that recreating the town exactly as it was may not be the best solution, hinting at the challenges of recreating a place with such deep historical roots.
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