Italy holds state funeral as quake toll hits 289

By Silvia Aloisi and Antonella Cinelli

L'AQUILA, Italy (Reuters) - Italy held a state funeral on Friday for victims of its worst earthquake in three decades, as the death toll climbed to 289 and survivors voiced anger that houses simply collapsed.

Thousands of mourners prayed before 205 coffins covered by flowers and photos of the dead, laid out on the parade ground of a police academy in the mountain city of L'Aquila, the worst hit by Monday's 6.3 magnitude quake, before being taken for burial.

Small white caskets with the bodies of children lay on their parents' coffins, some with a favourite toy placed on top. The youngest was a five-month-old boy, killed with his mother.

"These dead will always be with us, each one of them. The children, the students, all of them," said 59-year-old mourner Daniela. "I'm filled with pain but we must remain hopeful. We're a strong people here, I've seen lots of courage and solidarity."

Piero Faro, paying his respects to a family friend who died with her son, said sadness was mixed with "a lot of anger. Their building simply disintegrated. This should not have happened."

Some mourners kissed and hugged coffins at a mass led by the second highest priest in the Vatican, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

"I feel spiritually present in your midst and share your anguish," said a message read out from Pope Benedict.

Flags flew at half-mast on a national day of mourning, shops lowered shutters, airports stopped take-offs for a minute's silence and traffic wardens removed their bright jackets.