Thousands gathered in the cathedral square of the Italian city of L'Aquila early Tuesday morning to remember an earthquake that devastated the city a year before, DPA reported.
Gathering at precisely 3:32 am (0132 GMT) - the time of the temblor - more than 25,000 people with candles and torches participated in a moment of silence. The names of the 308 people killed in the quake were read aloud.
The 6.3-magnitude quake on April 6, 2009 also left more than 1,600 injured and left a variety of historical sites in ruins across the region of Abruzzo, of which L'Aquila is the capital. Tens of thousands were left homeless for months and many remain housed in emergency facilities, inns or military bases.
The commemorations began Monday night, with scores of residents gathering with candles in the city's Piazza Duomo. Hundreds also participated in a church service Monday night.
Nonetheless, the ceremonies were disrupted at times, especially when city officials read a greeting from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Residents of L'Aquila gather to remember '09 earthquake
Thousands gathered in the cathedral square of the Italian city of L'Aquila early Tuesday morning to remember an earthquake that devastated the city a year before.
