Italian court sentences scientists in L’Aquila earthquake case

New Delhi Television Limited : The yearlong trial of six Italian scientists and one government official ended Monday when they were found guilty of underestimating the risks of the 2009 earthquake that struck the town of L’Aquila, Italy. They received six-year jail sentences and have been ordered to pay more than €9 million ($12 million) in damages. All seven are expected to appeal the verdict. The defendants had served on the Major Risks Committee, which met to discuss L’Aquila on 31 March 2009, six days before the devastating earthquake that killed 300 people and injured more than 1000. Prosecutor Fabio Picuti claimed the experts provided “an incomplete, inept, unsuitable and criminally mistaken” analysis, which reassured residents and led many to remain indoors when the quake started. The verdict has sparked widespread outrage among the science community.