A decade after earthquake, Italy's Amatrice struggles to rebuild

On the morning of August 24, 2016, Giorgio Cortellesi, fearing for his two young sons' lives, ventured through the ruins of Amatrice after a devastating 6.2-magnitude earthquake. The town bore the brunt of the disaster, with 237 people losing their lives out of a total of 303 fatalities. Cortellesi, who became mayor of Amatrice in 2021, vowed to help rebuild his town after witnessing the destruction firsthand.

Despite the government's promise of €22.7 billion for reconstruction, progress has been slow. Only 38% of damaged properties have been restored, leaving a significant portion of Amatrice's historic center unaltered. The town still has around 1,000 residents living in temporary shelters, and some families have left in search of better opportunities.

The reconstruction process has been hampered by bureaucracy, legal disputes, and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, the generous Superbonus renovation scheme led to a two-year delay in building materials and labor availability. For some survivors, like chef Daniele Bonanni, who lost his entire family in the earthquake, the emotional struggle to rebuild is as tough as the physical challenges.

The Perillis family, another group of survivors, faces financial difficulties due to losing their homes and being burdened by the mortgage on their old house, which remains standing despite being uninhabitable. As Amatrice enters its 10th year since the earthquake, questions arise about the wisdom of rebuilding the town exactly as it was, with mayor Cortellesi admitting that a modern redesign might have been preferable.