Italian scientists appeal conviction concerning 2009 earthquake

Nature : An appeal is in progress for the six Italian seismologists and one government official who were implicated in the deaths of 29 people during the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake. In 2012 the seven were convicted of failing in their duty to evaluate and communicate the risk of a large earthquake to the general public. Sentenced to six years in prison and permanently banned from public service, the men maintain their innocence. They deny having made any reassuring statements, point out that their meeting to discuss the issue had been private, and instead blame the media for the subsequent misunderstanding. The prosecution maintains that the accused did not sufficiently highlight the probability of a strong earthquake and did nothing to contradict what was reported. The appeal, which began 10 October, is expected to be concluded by early November.