Earthquakes lead to school closings

(ANSA) - Rome, January 18 - Four earthquakes hit central Italy on Wednesday, leading to the closure of some schools and government offices. Government offices of L'Aquila and all its municipalities shut down for the day due to "seismic activity and bad weather conditions". The region has been hit by heavy snowfall. The prefecture of Teramo was evacuated during a meeting of the rescue operations committee, while the regional council and provincial government offices were evacuated in Pescara. Schools in the four largest cities of the province and many in other municipalities were closed. Umbria regional governor Catiuscia Marini ordered that all school buildings in the region be assessed for possible damages following the day's earthquakes and they will thus remain closed on January 19. In Rieti they will remain closed through January 21 as a precaution.
    Many schools have also been evacuated in the capital, but the decision was left to the directors of the educational facilities, a decision criticized by Federico Rocca, the Rome chief of the Fratelli d'Italia-Alleanza Nazionale local agencies.
    "This decision must be made by the mayor so that it is the same for everyone," he said.