A visibly moved Michelle Obama declared, "We must do all we can," as she toured the ruins of the earthquake-hit medieval city of L’Aquila today with 11 other wives of world leaders attending the G8 summit, including Sarah Brown, the wife of the Prime Minister.

Mrs Obama was heard asking her guides how many children had died, and said she was worried what their "psychological state" must be, and how they could be persuaded to return home "without fear". ''I'm very moved," she said. "I and my husband have been very struck by what we're seeing and we'll try to do everything possible to support you."

On Wednesday President Obama told local officials: ''I have followed your tragedy from the first moment. I assure you that the United States stands ready to help Italy''.

In the absence of Veronica Lario, Silvio Berlusconi’s wife, who has asked for a divorce over his alleged relationships with young women and under age girls, the first ladies were taken round the site by Mara Carfagna, the former topless model and television showgirl who Mr Berlusconi last year made Minister for Equal Opportunities, and Mariastella Gelmini, the Education Minister

Mrs Obama, whose husband toured the ruins of L’Aquila yesterday accompanied by Mr Berlusconi, the host of the summit, shook her head in disbelief as she took in the damage to churches and other treasures. The earthquake on April 6 killed 300 people and left 60,000 homeless. Mrs Obama shook hands with firemen and rescue workers who are still clearing the debris and propping up damaged buildings.

A planned trip to see new earthquake-proof housing units being built in the Cesi di Preturo, near the Finance Police barracks where the summit is being held, was cancelled "for lack of time". Instead, the first ladies returned to the barracks for a lunch of "Abruzzo regional specialities" hosted by Gianni Chiodi, the region's governor. In the afternoon they were due to tour an exhibition of the cultural treasures of Abruzzo damaged by the earthquake and the restoration programme which the G8 nations are being asked to help sponsor.

Italian newspapers said the "great abstentee" was Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the Italian born wife of President Sarkozy of France, who missed the first day of the summit and was due to arrive this afternoon. There were unconfirmed reports that she may accompany the actor George Clooney when he opens a new "Nobel Peace Prize" cinema in the earthquake-struck town of San Demetrio this evening.

The inaugural film is an animated movie by Wes Anderson, Fantastic Mr Fox, with voices supplied by Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray.

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