Two earthquakes within nine days have taken their toll on Cavezzo, northern Italy.
The town is near the epicentre of the second tremor that struck on Tuesday - and the damage is plain to see.
The two quakes have also taken their toll on the residents who sought comfort and solace in an open air mass on Wednesday.
For many it was harrowing experience.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CAVEZZO RESIDENT AZELIA FORAPANE:
"Fear, so much dear. I was so scared because I was on the balcony and I really felt like the balcony was going down and I jumped down the stairs and shouted in prayer 'help me, help me, please help me get out'."
The priest holding the outdoor mass said he hoped it would help survivors who face tough times coming to terms with their losses.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FATHER LORENZO LODI:
"This serves is an occasion to re-examine the purpose of life and to realise that maybe we attach our lives too much to material things that can go to pieces in a very brief moment. Many people I met told me that when things will get calmer they are thinking of changing their lives."
Seventeen people throughout northern Italy were killed in the earthquake, and some 14,000 people are sleeping in tents and shelters as aftershocks continue.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.
