Berlusconi's Latest Gaffe: Quake Homeless 'Camping'

Berlusconi slammed for gaffe as quake toll hits 260
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 8, 2009 9:16 AM CDT
Berlusconi's Latest Gaffe: Quake Homeless 'Camping'
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi meets with earthquake survivors at the tented camp of San Demetrio, near L'Aquila, on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Livio Anticoli, ho)

Silvio Berlusconi is drawing fire for reportedly saying the thousands made homeless by Monday's earthquake should see the experience as a "camping weekend," the Guardian reports. The gaffe-prone Italian prime minister, touring an emergency encampment, said the displaced survivors "lacked nothing," although hundreds still didn't even have tents as the temperature plummeted on a rainy night.

The quake left an estimated 20,000 people homeless and killed at least 260, including one person who died as more strong aftershocks hit central Italy today. A national day of mourning will be held on Friday, to coincide with the solemn observance of Good Friday, and the Vatican has announced that Pope Benedict plans to visit the region soon after Easter.
(More Silvio Berlusconi stories.)

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