Senerchia 1980 - in '
hell and back I passed the elderly. . Now it's just time to remember.
hell and back I passed the elderly. . Now it's just time to remember.
A decade later, I am reminded of the incredible journey that I made that tragic day of 28 November 1980.
The Irpinia earthquake occurred 23 November 1980 and struck the central Campania and Basilicata bringing death and destruction, above all in small villages perched on the slopes of the mountains.
The dramatic images broadcast by the press and TV, deeply impressed my mind of southern Africa. In the office there was no talk of that earthquake, commenting on the images of desolation and death, and we wondered what we could do to bring some 'expression of solidarity with the people tortured.
The Irpinia earthquake occurred 23 November 1980 and struck the central Campania and Basilicata bringing death and destruction, above all in small villages perched on the slopes of the mountains.
The dramatic images broadcast by the press and TV, deeply impressed my mind of southern Africa. In the office there was no talk of that earthquake, commenting on the images of desolation and death, and we wondered what we could do to bring some 'expression of solidarity with the people tortured.
I was particularly struck by the poignant chronicle made by a stranger in a small town cronista.Parlava dell'avellinese, Senerchia , located at 600 meters high, almost completely destroyed and not yet reached by rescue workers.
But seeing the earthquake is one thing, living it and all else. I've heard and experienced.
It happened when I decided to make themselves useful from Palermo with my new car, a Fiat Supermirafiori with cart in tow.
By bus loads of medicines and clothing me and my co-worker assigned to the port of Naples Senerchia small village of 876 inhabitants located 600 meters above sea level in hilly area.
There we document on ' route to go. Senerchia center Irpino Alta Valle del Sele is located Avellino south-east of the capital and the border with the province of Salerno. To reach the village you must follow the Salerno-Reggio Calabria, exit at Contursi Terme and follow the ss .91.
We follow the letter but that path a few miles from Contursi , we are stopped by a police patrol. The military warned that it is not prudent to continue because bands of thugs stop the car of the rescuers and they take over everything. We recommend that you bring us in their next station with the hope that the sergeant can help us. We are greeted with the utmost courtesy and understanding, but we are told that, given the tragic situation, it was virtually impossible to assign a military for protection.
This does not discourage us in any way We were determined to continue with or without escort.
Took note of our determination, the marshal gets in touch with an old phone pinned next to the board expressing its full availability and ready to join us.
After twenty minutes comes the military, we express our gratitude for his willingness to marshal shall be apportioned in a heavy rain mixed with snow. The road has continuous traps, depressions, rocks, tree trunks. But we can achieve the former, Laviano . The show that presents itself to our eyes is truly terrifying. Not a house standing only distressing but rubble. You can not continue. There is help in a patrol of the forest with a shovel makes his way through the rubble. When an agent comes to know of our destination, the paper shows us that some countries, Santomenna , Castelnuovo of Conza , Marra, Valva and Senerchia have not yet been achieved by rescuers.
Still determined to pursue, reach Santomenna .
here the disaster was complete. Large fallen walls, whole buildings gutted, lines of cars of private rescuers, some ambulance, many camper.Avanziamo slowly, but after a few kilometers, we see a group of men who beckons us to stop. We realize now that those individuals were not policemen, but a gang of misfits that we had talked about the military. Still annoyed that the car more scared, but ready to use all means to not overwhelm us.
asking us now to deliver all that we deliver without making a fuss or we would have even taken the car. We try to make them understand that we will not deliver anything. Even after the lance qualifies desist from their purpose. All that remains is the dialogue. Wonder who was his head comes forward a young well-dressed, under the circumstances, with a slight facial hair, with his left hand clutching a kind of club, with the other he stroked continually mento.Mi gave the impression that we were ashamed of what he would do.
appartammo.Gli We said that we come from Palermo, we have come a long way just to bring a bit 'of relief to the people who really need it, we'd do anything not to lose the merchandise.
unexpectedly change his expression, the look becomes less grim and hints at a smile. I grab her hand firmly clasping me tight to whether kissing on the cheeks, as is the custom in Palermo, tells me that he is from Palermo, for an attempted murder had been confined to that country pending trial and, finally, that would let me go. He asked me a few bottle of insulin for his diabetic mother. The contented and wished him good luck. We said goodbye to good friends recommending that if I were to make further unpleasant encounters, I could say I was a friend of "face of an angel".
back with a rain insistente.Ancora few more miles and we would see the turning for Senerchia .
the rain now you add even snow. We take the uphill road. The'auto begins to lag, the wheels slip easily avoid fallen trees, ravines, landslides, but when the road becomes very steep, the car stops. Vain attempts to restart. Once again, we find solace in the forest which was the outpost of rescuers with a few soldiers. Hook the car to one of their vehicles towed pesanti.Veniamo difficulties, because the road greatly uneven, until the only town square, 600 meters above sea level. We got out the tired and cold. Immediately felt the earth shaking under our feet, causing dizziness. Piled a few feet away we see dozens of coffins. We are told that they are intended the dead who have yet to be pulled from the rubble. I can not find a home untouched, just rubble, empty streets, an eerie silence. Only a few forest digging with shovels and picks.
partially gutted the church acted as a shelter.
Not a roulet or camper, only so much snow and freddo.Veniamo greeted by a priest intent to place a large tent. Some survivors are close to the car but do not ask for anything. Expect. They look bewildered and incredulous. Not known children. An old woman asks softly, when relief would come, because they are exhausted by fatigue and suffering, have dug their own hands nude looking for relatives buried in the rubble. I asked why not intend to leave, go down and get to sicuro.Mi say they never leave what remains of their homes, which also face the winter in a tent. Go meant to be defeated, losing the few things, animals, crops. Distribute warm clothing, the priest deliver all the medicine. More we can not assure you that if the soldiers would arrive soon with their mechanical, food and medicine.
The photos were taken by my friend and colleague, Louis Cusumano, who died prematurely. From a talented photographer amateur give us a real and tragic testimony of what was left of Senerchia , one of the most charming towns in Irpinia, a town of great history of ancient and medieval tradition where once was admired for its beautiful scenery, its churches, its artistic and religious traditions.
When I returned to Palermo I struggled to get used to life forever The memory of that shot and killed people, proud of her country, determined to remain there, to face the winter, destruction, will live forever among the my memories.
F. Scordino
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