World Heritage Centre expresses condolences for victims of earthquake in Italy

The World Heritage Centre has noted with great concern the news of the earthquake that struck near L'Aquila, Central Italy, on Monday, 6 April 2009.

According to initial reports, some 60 miles west of the epicentre of the quake, the Baths of Caracalla (part of the UNESCO World Heritage property "Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura" (Holy See/Italy) have suffered some damage but the extent of it has yet to be evaluated in detail.

The World Heritage Centre expresses its solidarity with the rescue workers and offers profound condolences to the people of Italy, to the families and loved ones of all the victims.