The editor and staff of Italyupdate wish to offer all their sympathy and support to the people of the beautiful region of Abruzzo, who have been so badly hit by the earthquake around L'Aquila.

Normally, our website is dedicated to basically good news from Italy of cultural events, food and wine, new tourist attractions and exhibitions. However, an event of these tragic proportions cannot be passed over in silence. We can only bow our heads.

Signed: Julie Davidson, Harry Reid, Margaret Stenhouse, Antonio Rigillo