Regina’s Italian community is showing support for its parent country after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy early Wednesday morning.
The death toll has risen to 159 and is expected to climb. The hardest hit area, the town of Amatrice, Italy, located about 140 kilometres east of Rome has been reduced to rubble.
READ MORE: Italy earthquake: Timeline of major quakes to strike Italy over past century
According to honorary Vice-Consul of Italy Sebastiano Deiana, one family in Regina has ties to the quake-struck region, but said there are no reports of any injuries.
Before and after photos of the mountainous town show entire homes completely leveled by the tremors.
Many people are still believed to be buried beneath the rubble.
READ MORE: Italy earthquake: Before and after pictures show entire towns devastated by earthquake
Italian Star Deli owner Carlo Giambattista said he was in disbelief when he awoke to the news Wednesday morning.
“It was quite a shock, you know hearing that. Just like that, you go to sleep, you wake up… that’s the kind of world we live in,” Giambattista explained.
His family is from an area just south-east of Rome, not far away from the epicenter of the earthquake. He said because of his Italian roots, the tragedy cuts much deeper.
“When it comes to your country… it affects you just a little bit more. [My folks] may have been to that part of town,” he said.
The Canadian Italian Club of Regina president also said his country has seen its share of devastation in recent years. This is another blow.
“I think the last one was in 2012, and now another one. I said holy mackerel, it’s bad. I feel sad for the people,” Deiana remembered.
“Some of the small towns, they’re finished… It’s very sad.”
A fundraiser by the Canadian Italian Club is in the works to help those affected by the deadly quake.
With files from the Associated Press.
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