Second quake hits basilica of St Francis

Another powerful earthquake rocked central Italy yesterday, causing more damage to the frescoed interior of the 13th century Basilica of St Francis in Assisi. The quake followed two similar-strength tremors a week ago which killed 11 people, flattened mountain villages and brought part of the basilica ceiling crashing to the ground.

Yesterday's earthquake, which struck while firefighters were working on the historic church to patch up last week's damage, caused part of the exterior wall just under the roof to crumble. The debris fell inwards wreaking further havoc inside the basilica. One friar was hit by falling masonry but no one was seriously injured. "The earthquake was shorter than the one on Friday (last week) but the damage before is now more evident than it was." Father Nicola Giandomenico said.

-Reuter