There were warning signs prior to the devastating earthquake in Italy that has claimed at least 150 lives. Seismic activity increased and tremors were felt in L'Aquila and the surrounding areas in mid-January and continued at regular intervals.

The Civil Protection Agency downplayed concerns: "The tremors being felt by the population are part of a typical sequence ... (which is) absolutely normal in a seismic area like the one around L'Aquila".

Gioacchino Giuliani, a researcher with the National Physical Laboratory of Gran Sasso didn't buy into that thesis. He predicted a coming quake. His forecasts were based on the build-up of radon gas in seismically active areas. Mr Giuliani has been monitoring underground levels of radon for several years.

He was so concerned, he posted warnings on the internet. Vans with loudspeakers urged those living in areas he believed to be at-risk to vacate their homes.

However the reaction of the mayor of L'Aquila, Massimo Cialente, was to accuse Giuliani of "spreading alarm". He was reported to the police for "scaremongering" and had to pull his warnings off the internet.

Mr Giuliani is himself a resident of the 13th century town of L'Aquila, one of the communities that has been hit by the quake. He says he felt helpless on Sunday as it became clear to him that the quake was imminent.

"I didn't know who to turn to, I had been put under investigation for saying there was going to be an earthquake."

Giuliani is understandably furious that he was dismissed as a crank.

He said: "I was called an idiot and told that earthquakes just cannot be predicted. We saw houses moving and it was a tremendous sensation which for me at the same time was tinged with anger. There are people who need to apologise to me. These people will have these deaths on their conscience."

Photos beneath... also link to a slideshow here at the UK Guardian.

Link here for a BBC report describing the rescue efforts with accompanying video.