Italian PM: Death toll in quake-hit areas climbes to 260

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 04-09-2009 09:38

Click for more news in World Wide Watch>>

The Italian Prime Minister says the death toll in the quake-hit areas in and around the town of L'Aguila has climbed to 260, including 16 children.

Silvio Berlusconi made the announcement after visiting the hardest-hit areas for the third day in a row.

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi shows a map of the earthquake zone during a news conference in L 'Aquila, central Italy, Wednesday , April 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless by Italy's worst earthquake in 30 years. Andrew Dupuis has more.

The Prime Minister has visited the disaster area every day, surveying the damage in a helicopter and reviewing rescue operations on the ground.

Berlusconi is trying to infuse people with optimism.

Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister, said, "I think that children need to be pushed to smile, towards optimism and games. We have doctors who use humor therapy. I think this is what has to be done in order to avoid a pessimistic atmosphere, negativity, sickness and death in these camps."