Often, when we visit somewhere beautiful or breathtaking, we don’t think about the tragedies that are possible. In the spring of 2014, I visited Italy for the first time and was completely blown away by the country’s beauty, grace, and overall welcoming nature. It never even crossed my mind until recently that such an amazing place is subject to the same level of tragedy and death as any other war-ridden country.

This past month, on August 25, Italy suffered a shattering earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2, which is on the more severe side of the magnitude spectrum. About 100 earthquakes of this magnitude happen each year, often causing major damage to very populated areas, ones with a lot of buildings and architecture. The initial hit of Italy’s earthquake was not the only wave; it’s reported that there were several aftershocks following the initial quake, which only further enhanced the existing damage.

According to BBC’s depiction, the quake was felt as far as Rome; however, the worst of the damage can be seen in small mountain towns in central Italy. The first confirmed deaths of the tragedy were found in Amatrice, and bodies in Accumoli were found not long after. The death toll has risen to over 240 across the region. Many families and victims were trapped under the rubble of buildings. Other villages affected include Pescara del Tronto and Arquata del Tronto.

All of these small cities are said to have been standing strong for centuries. However, even several days following the earthquake, government officials in Italy report that the towns impacted are still incredibly fragile and crumbling. Amatrice mayor Sergio Pirozzi stated that "half the village has disappeared.” Hundreds of families have lost their homes and are sleeping in cars or on the streets. Not only this, but the communities impacted have seen their churches, schools and other important communal places destroyed in the midst of the quake. And so the places they've cherished are now in shambles.

I am not Italian nor do I have any Italian roots or family. Some might question whether or not I even have a right to be this upset about a tragedy in a country that I’ve only ever been a tourist in. But, for me, Italy was the first country outside of the United States that I was welcomed into with open arms. It was my first time traveling abroad and leaving my family behind—even if it was just for a couple of weeks. It breaks my heart to see a culture and the people who were so warm to me during my short time in their country suffering from this natural tragedy.