Scientists accused of manslaughter for failing to predict earthquake

Scientists and earthquake experts are standing trial on the charge of manslaughter for failing to predict a 2009 earthquake in Italy.

The earthquake cost 308 people their lives in and near L'Aquila two years ago, but prosecutors are blaming seven defendants for not warning the residents of the natural disaster, reports The Guardian.

L'Aquila experienced minor tremors six months before the earthquake.

A memo was also presented in court detailing concerns about the seismic activity in the area, in which experts called the chance of a major earthquake "improbable" one week before the disaster hit.

Some 5,200 researchers have pledged their support for the accused by signing a petition.

The L'Aquila earthquake happened on April 2009 and had a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale.

This Articel Orignaly Published at Digita Spy