Modena - ANSA
A series of aftershocks and heavy rains in the earthquake-struck regions of Emilia-Romagna and lower Veneto continue to cause damage and evacuations, said regional authorities on Friday. A clock tower in the town of Finale Emilia near Modena that has come to symbolize heavy damage to the regions\' historical heritage suffered another blow when tremors registering 3.2 shook the town Friday morning and more people were forced to leave their homes. Over 2,000 residents from the town of Finale Emilia alone are sheltered in tents while buildings are being checked for safety. A state of emergency covering the northern provinces of Bologna, Modena, Ferrara and Mantua was declared on Tuesday and was extended until July 21, the Italian government said on Thursday. Sunday\'s earthquake that killed seven was the worst in Italy since the 2009 L\'Aquila quake that killed 308 people and left 40,000 homeless at the time.