[8] The earthquake took place at around 8:00 local time affecting thousands of people throughout central and southern Italy; the shaking was even felt in Rome.

The structure of the housing also contributed to the collapse; many homes had been built from simple rocks of varying size and were not reinforced by mortar or even wood.

Rome experienced minor damage, including a fallen statue reported in St John Lateran and cracks on the Column of Marcus Aurelius.

After a short time the searchers ran out of space to dispose of the debris as it was too overwhelming in mass, forcing the workers to give up.

[9] Among those killed by the earthquake was Maria Gramegna, a promising young mathematician who had become a high school teacher in Avezzano.

The government in Rome assumed local authorities had delayed reporting the facts, and it was rumored that they even tried to remove one mayor from office.

Because of World War I the government decided not to accept foreign assistance, and a national rescue and relief effort was promptly started.

She would write back to New Zealand in August: There are now very few of the victims of the earthquake left in hospitals, but the wounded soldiers keep on arriving.