Moldovan premier: We are close to Italian people in these difficult moments

Chisinau, 24 August /MOLDPRES/ – Prime Minister Pavel Filip expressed condolences to the grieving families and the loved ones of those who suffered from the earthquake. "We are close to the Italian people in these difficult moments. If necessary, after a careful assessment of the situation, we will decide on the offer, from the reserve fund of the Government, the financial support required to cover the cost of assistance to our nationals who are in difficult situation," said the Prime Minister at the today Government meeting.

Some information about the existing situation presented Deputy PM Andrei Galbur, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. According to official data, among the victims, there are not citizens of the Republic of Moldova, but 20 people addressed the Moldovan Embassy because of worries about relatives in the area. The ministry has created a crisis cell, which by means of the Moldovan Embassy in Rome and consular offices in Milano and Padova maintain regular contact with local authorities and are ready to provide consular assistance to the Moldovan citizens who suffered in the earthquake.

In the area affected by the earthquake work about 15 thousand citizens of Moldova.

At least 63 people died in the massive earthquake that hit the central area of Italy on Wednesday morning, said a spokeswoman of the Italian Civil Protection Department, quoted by Reuters. The quake affected cities and villages in the central mountain region of the country, especially the area between the towns Accumoli and Amatrice, and the Arquata zone, situated nearby.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)