MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Italy’s Ambassador to Russia Cesare Maria Ragaglini has words of gratitude for Russia’s Emergencies Ministry for its offer to help cope with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that rattled the country on October 30.

"The Russian Ministry of Emergencies was ready to help in the aftermath of the quake," Ragaglini said in an interview aired by the Russian Rossiya 1 TV channel on Wednesday. "We are convinced the cooperation will be fruitful. We would also like to thank those Russians who offered condolences and sympathy and those who are going to make money transfers to the affected people."

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake jolted central Italy on Sunday, October 30, at 7:40 local time, hitting the areas already hammered by the previous quakes on August 24 and October 26. It was the strongest earthquake to rattle Italy since 1980. The tremor and aftershocks were felt in many regions throughout the country, including the country’s capital of Rome. Damage has been reported in 200 settlements in the regions of Umbria and Marche. A total of 20,000 people have lost their homes.

Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi promised that the quake-damaged towns, which are historic and cultural landmarks, would be restored. Local residents have been accommodated in hotels on the Adriatic coast and in special shelters.

A special team of Russia’s Emergencies Ministry helped Italy cope with the aftermath of the August 24 quake and the L’Aquila earthquake in 2009 and its work was highly praised by Italy’s civil protection department, local councils and Italians.