Cost of Italian quake put at $15 billion

ROME, April 15 (UPI) -- The governor of the quake-stricken Italian province of Abruzzo put the cost of rebuilding Wednesday at $15 billion, with more needed for economic recovery.

Gianni Chiodi agreed that the estimate Tuesday by Interior Minister Roberto Maroni of 12 billion euros to repair and replace buildings is "reasonable," the Italian news agency ANSA reported. He said that the economy of the region has been "completely destroyed."

About 300 people were killed in L'Aquila, an ancient city about 70 miles north of Rome. Thousands are living in tent camps around the city.

European Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani has promised up to 500 million euros ($661 million) in aid from a fund for natural disasters and by reallocating money already destined for Abruzzo and Italy. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said that whatever money was needed would be found.

One opposition leader suggested delaying a controversial project -- a bridge across the Messina Straits connecting Sicily to the mainland. Berlusconi said that the bridge should go ahead.