Seven leading Italian officials and seismologists are to be tried for manslaughter in the central Italian town of L'Aquila.<br/> Their crime - failing to warn citizens of a 2009 earthquake that left over 300 people dead.<br/> Prosecuting lawyers will argue that a risks commission that met just days before the earthquake hit failed to warn of the danger - and instead gave reassurance to the local community that tremors should not cause concern.<br/> Defence attorneys are expected to say the unprecedented trial has no foundation, as it is impossible to predict earthquakes with any certainty.<br/> L'Aquila's city council is asking for some 50 million euros in damages from the accused.<br/> The 5.8 magnitude quake struck on April 6, 2009, leaving over 60,000 people homeless and reducing the historic city centre to rubble.<br/> Travis Brecher, Reuters
