Six scientists and a government official in Italy have been sentenced to prison for not giving sufficient warning of an earthquake. The quake in 2009 killed more than 300 people in the central Italian city of L'Aquila, home to about 75,000 people. The seven were part of, what's called, The National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks.
A judge ruled they understated the risks, and declared them guilty of criminal manslaughter and causing criminal injury. They were given six-year terms by the judge, even though the prosecution argued for four year terms. The prosecution focused on a memo prior to the quake that said a major quake was "improbable", although possible.
No surprise that the verdict has been controversial. Scientific groups have argued that earthquakes are very unpredictable. Besides, they say, scientists shouldn't be punished for making predictions that turn out to be wrong.
You can read more from the U.K. Daily MailOnline.
