Chief Minister mourns quake deaths in Italy

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday mourned the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake in Italy. “My thoughts are with the families who lost their lives in #ItalyEarthquake Over 247 dead. Sad,” she tweeted.

The death toll from a powerful earthquake that shook central Italy in pre-dawn hours yesterday rose to 247 on Thursday. Banerjee is scheduled to go on a four-day visit to Italy and Germany next month to attract foreign investment in the state.

During her stay, she will attend the sainthood ceremony of Mother Teresa in Vatican City. Rome’s first woman Mayor Virginia Raggi has invited the Chief Minister to a special reception during her visit to Vatican City where many top businessmen will be present.