The May 6, 1976 a earthquake magnitude 6.4 violently shook the Friuli Venezia Giulia, in particular the middle valley of the Tagliamento River, causing destruction and loss of human lives. From the tragedy that struck the region, a model of emergency management and reconstruction emerged that impressed the world with its effectiveness and the solidarity demonstrated.
The earthquake of 6 May 1976 in Friuli, damage and victims
The earthquake affected over one hundred towns in the provinces of Udine and Pordenone. The aftershocks that followed the earthquake increased the panic and anguish in the local populations. Then, on September 15, a new earthquake of magnitude 5.9 further aggravated the situation, causing further damage and human losses. Overall, 965 people lost their lives in this tragedy.
The consequences were devastating not only in terms of human lives but also for the building stock and the economy. About 15 thousand workers lost their jobs due to the destruction or damage of the factories. Surprisingly, many of the most severely affected municipalities, such as Buia, Gemona and Osoppo, were not classified as seismic and were therefore not subject to adequate anti-seismic standards.
The response to the tragedy
However, the response to the tragedy was swift and coordinated. The strong military presence in Friuli allowed timely and effective rescue operations. The Extraordinary Commissioner Giuseppe Zamberletti, appointed by the government to coordinate the rescue operations, proved to be a key figure in managing the emergency. His experience and leadership were instrumental in ensuring coordination between local and central authorities.
One of the most relevant features of the emergency response was the active involvement of the mayors of the affected municipalities and the regional authorities. This marked a significant change in the approach to managing natural disasters, as for the first time local operations centers were established to coordinate relief operations and assistance to the population.
The “Friuli model”
Perhaps what made the emergency management model in Friuli truly unique was the phase reconstruction. The mayors and citizens, knowing the territory and its resources well, played a central role in the reconstruction process. According to “model Friuli“, houses and industries had to be rebuilt in the same places where they stood before the earthquake, keeping the urban and social fabric intact.
In just over 15 years, Friuli has been reborn from the rubble. Solidarity, determination and collaboration between local authorities, citizens and central government have allowed the region to overcome the tragedy and emerge as an example of resilience and effectiveness in the management of natural disasters. The “Friuli model” continues to inspire and be studied around the world as an example of how to transform a tragedy into an opportunity for growth and rebirth.
Continue reading on MeteoWeb
