Italy earthquake
A woman looks out from an emergency tent in Finale Emilia May 21, 2012. Thousands of people in northern Italy slept in tents and cars overnight as more than 100 aftershocks rocked the area hit by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that killed seven people and inflicted heavy damage to centuries-old cultural sites. Reuters

The Italian government will call a state of emergency on Tuesday in the areas affected by Sunday's 5.9 magnitude earthquake.

After an earlier promise from Prime Minister Mario Monti, Italy's Council of Ministers will meet to give the final emergency order, which will allow financial aid to be given to companies and individuals, according to the BBC.

At least seven people died following the quake, which hit around 4 a.m. on Sunday between the towns of Finale Emilia, San Felice sul Panaro and Sermide. Additionally, some 5,000 people fled their homes, and the emergency personnel are working diligently to build tents as heavy rains approach the region.

The government has already tasked Franco Gabrielli, head of the civil protection agency, with leading the rescue effort.

Unfortunately the weather will not be on our side. We need to give an answer as soon as possible to people who have (no place to stay) tonight, Gabrielli said, according to the Agenzia Giornalistica Italia.

The government will not abandon Emilia, Monti's Cabinet undersecretary Antonio Catricala said on Monday, the BBC reported.

Meanwhile, aftershocks in the area continue, adding to fear that many medieval and Renaissance buildings damaged Sunday could collapse.

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