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Italian scientist 'predicted' earthquake disaster
Nick Pisa in Rome07.04.09
AN Italian scientist who predicted a serious earthquake but was dismissed as a panic-monger today told authorities they have dozens of deaths on their conscience.
Seismologist Gioacchino Giuliani had warned that "a big one" was on the way and even toured the region in a van with loudspeakers warning people as late as last week.
But he was reported to the police by authorities for "needlessly spreading panic" and also dismissed by L'Aquila's civic officials.
Dr Giuliani based his theory on increasingly high levels of radon gas in the area and posted his findings on his website. But he was forced to take them down and today the site was not working.
Dr Giuliani, who works at the Institute of Nuclear Physics at nearby Gran Sasso, said: "There are people who need to apologise to me. These people will have these deaths on their conscience.
"I could see what was about to happen and I could not do anything because I could not turn to anyone because I had been warned not to say anything about an earthquake.
"People dismissed me as a crank and said terrible things about me. I was called an idiot and told that earthquakes cannot be predicted. Now I am trembling with anger because of the seriousness of the situation." However Enzo Boschi, an earthquake expert, said: "There is no way anyone can predict a tremor."
Reader views (6)
I'm hurting for all Italia.I was out here only a few weeks ago for the rugby.Please beleive me and our country,we people wish you all the help in the world.Our love at this time,be strong.Nos Da
- Steve Gauden, Bargoed,South Wales,UK
Just how many times had Gioacchino Giuliani previously warned that an earthquake was about to happen.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England
People forget how many crack-pots there are out there. It isn't surprising at all that an unproven theory was not believed - if every such theory WAS believed everyone would live in a constant state of fear (of just about everything under the Sun). The thing is that now some leading thinkers in the field might take a closer look at the man's theories to see if his predictions were scientifically sound or coincidental.
- Rogan, Irving
It's definite worth investigating Guiliani's claims, if they're correct this would be a significant leap in preventing loss of life in the future.
What an idiot Boschi is - presumably he didn't lose anyone in the earthquake.
- Marianne, SW France
"Enzo Boschi, an earthquake expert, said: "There is no way anyone can predict a tremor."
With such a closed mind and an attitude like that I'd say earthquake prediction is dead in the water. God help anyone living in an earthquake zone if this is the attitude of 'experts'. Their minds are already made up that nothing can be done in this field. Mr Giuliani thought different and was vilified for it. Time for the 'experts' to think again.
- Ian Davies, London, UK
I am afraid that in true italian Style, Poor Sig. Giuliani does not have the title of "professore" like
the arrogant Prof.Boschi, therefore cannot be taken seriously.
Independent and TRUE scientists must investigate the matter.
- Wladimir Panas, Halesowen
