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Italian scientists convicted over earthquake warning
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Oct 22, 2012
Listen 17:30
Italian scientists convicted over earthquake warning
Scientists in Italy have been convicted of multiple manslaughter after a 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila killed 309 people. The six Italian scientists and one former government official were accused of providing falsely reassuring statements after initial tremors hit the area.
This picture shows damaged building following the 2009 earthquake on October 22, 2012 in the village of Onna. Six Italian scientists and a government official were found guilty the same day of multiple manslaughter for underestimating the risks of a killer earthquake in L'Aquila in 2009, and sentenced to six years in jail in a watershed ruling in a case that has provoked outrage in the international science community.
A damaged building shown following the 2009 earthquake in the village of Onna.
(
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
)

Scientists in Italy have been convicted of multiple manslaughter after a 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila killed 309 people. The six Italian scientists and one former government official were accused of providing falsely reassuring statements after initial tremors hit the area.

Scientists in Italy have been convicted of multiple manslaughter after a 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila killed 309 people. The six Italian scientists and one former government official were accused of providing falsely reassuring statements after initial tremors hit the area. Should scientists and government officials be held accountable for natural disasters? Are they responsible for providing correct information in unpredictable situations? In the event of a major earthquake here in Southern California, would you hold local officials responsible for damage and casualties?

Guest:

Tom Jordan, professor of Earth Sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and director of the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC)

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