People run into streets as earthquake rocks italy amid coronavirus outbreak

A devastating earthquake struck central Italy on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and panic, just as the country is struggling to contain a coronavirus outbreak.

According to reports, the 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck at 10:32 am local time, with its epicenter located near the town of Accumoli, in the province of Rieti. The quake was felt as far away as Rome, which is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the epicenter.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as people ran into the streets, fearing for their lives. Many buildings collapsed or were severely damaged, trapping people inside.

"It was like the end of the world," said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. "I was in my house when the earthquake struck. I ran outside with my family, and we saw buildings collapsing all around us. It was a nightmare."

The Italian government has declared a state of emergency and deployed emergency services to the affected areas. Rescue teams are working to search for survivors and provide aid to those affected.

The earthquake has also raised concerns about the potential spread of the coronavirus in the affected areas. Italy has been one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, with over 31,000 confirmed cases and over 2,500 deaths.

"It's a very difficult situation," said Dr. Silvio Brusaferro, the head of Italy's National Institute of Health. "We're doing everything we can to contain the spread of the virus, but the earthquake has made things much more complicated. We're working closely with the authorities to ensure that everyone affected by the earthquake receives the necessary medical care and support."

The Italian government has set up emergency shelters and is providing food, water, and medical supplies to those affected by the earthquake. The country's military has also been deployed to assist with the relief efforts.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is offering its support to Italy. The European Union has pledged to provide financial and logistical support to the country, while the United States has offered to provide medical supplies and personnel to assist with the relief efforts.

In the meantime, the people of Italy are coming together to support each other in the face of this devastating disaster.