At 3:36 a.m. on 24 August, 2016, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy. With an epicenter in Umbria, 100 miles northeast of Rome, the violent tremors leveled communities including Amatrice, where recovery efforts are ongoing. At least 250 deaths have been reported. As damage continues to be assessed and death toll numbers rise, the Board, Executive Committee, and membership of the Italian Art Society send heartfelt condolences to the people of Italy.
Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (MiBACT) has announced that all proceeds from public museums across Italy this Sunday (28 August, 2016) will be dedicated to helping the areas affected by the earthquake.
For those who wish to donate to the Italian Red Cross, online contributions may be made using this link. Bank transfers may be made using the following information:
REASON FOR PAYMENT: “Terremoto Centro Italia”
E-MAIL: aiuti@cri.it
PHONE NUMBER: 06.5510
IBAN: IT40F0623003204000030631681
BIC/SWIFT: CRPPIT2P086
(BIC/SWIFT for foreign bank transfers: CRPPIT2P086)
The IAS will continue to share information on relief efforts and how to make donations in the coming days and weeks.
Further Updates/Information:
Hannah McGivern, “Italian museums to donate ticket sales on Sunday to earthquake rescue efforts” (The Art Newspaper, 25 August 2016).
“Italy earthquake: Death toll passes 240 as rescue efforts continue” (BBC News, 25 August 2016).
Manuela Mesco, Giada Sampan and Giovanni Legorano, “Italian Earthquake Survivors Recount Harrowing Escapes, Tragic Loss” (Wall Street Journal, 25 August 2016).
Map of earthquake’s impact across the Italian peninsula (image courtesy of the United States Geological Survey).
Image of a street in Amatrice following the earthquake (image courtesy of The Guardian).
Image of street in Arcuata del Tronto following the earthquake (image courtesy of ABC News).