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Italy earthquake: at least 37 dead in 6.2 quake – live Central Italy earthquake: at least 38 dead in 6.2 quake – live
(35 minutes later)
11.17am BST
11:17
The US Geological Survey gave coordinates for the epicentre of the quake as 42.822°N 13.126°E, which is about two miles (4km) north-east of Norcia and 40km north of Amatrice.
Updated
at 11.24am BST
11.00am BST
11:00
President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has written to Italy’s prime minister Matteo Renzi, expressing solidarity and offering assistance.
We stand, as ever, in solidarity with the Italian nation and are ready to assist in any way we can. #ItalyEarthquake pic.twitter.com/l7yEZWrvth
10.56am BST
10:56
The official death toll has increased again and is expected to rise further, Reuters reports.
At least 38 people died in a powerful earthquake that hit central Italy early on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the civil protection department said.
The quake struck towns and villages in the mountainous heart of the country, which was making the rescue operation more difficult, said spokeswoman Immacolata Postiglione.
Speaking to journalists, Postiglione said 27 people had died between the towns of Accumoli and Amatrice, and a further 10 had died in the nearby Arquata area. Later in her press conference she upped the death toll to 38, without giving further details.
Rai News cited the same figure.
#terremoto Protezione civile aggiorna: 38 i morti, 10 ad Arquata del Tronto, 28 tra Amatrice e Accumoli @RaiNews
10.40am BST10.40am BST
10:4010:40
At least 37 deadAt least 37 dead
At least 37 people were killed in the earthquake, according to a spokeswoman for Italy’s civil protection agency quoted by Reuters.At least 37 people were killed in the earthquake, according to a spokeswoman for Italy’s civil protection agency quoted by Reuters.
10.39am BST10.39am BST
10:3910:39
The Italian news agency Aska News has footage of several people being rescued from the debris in Amatrice, one of the worst-hit towns.The Italian news agency Aska News has footage of several people being rescued from the debris in Amatrice, one of the worst-hit towns.
The centre of the town was reduced to rubble as entire buildings collapsed, according to the Associated Press.The centre of the town was reduced to rubble as entire buildings collapsed, according to the Associated Press.
Rocks and metal tumbled on to the streets and dazed residents huddled in piazzas as some 39 aftershocks jolted the region into the early morning hours, some as strong as 5.1.Rocks and metal tumbled on to the streets and dazed residents huddled in piazzas as some 39 aftershocks jolted the region into the early morning hours, some as strong as 5.1.
“The whole ceiling fell but did not hit me,” said resident Maria Gianni. “I just managed to put a pillow on my head and I wasn’t hit luckily, just slightly injured my leg.”“The whole ceiling fell but did not hit me,” said resident Maria Gianni. “I just managed to put a pillow on my head and I wasn’t hit luckily, just slightly injured my leg.”
Another woman, sitting in front of her destroyed home with a blanket over her shoulders, said she didn’t know what had become of her loved ones.Another woman, sitting in front of her destroyed home with a blanket over her shoulders, said she didn’t know what had become of her loved ones.
“It was one of the most beautiful towns of Italy and now there’s nothing left,” she said, too distraught to give her name. “I don’t know what we’ll do.”“It was one of the most beautiful towns of Italy and now there’s nothing left,” she said, too distraught to give her name. “I don’t know what we’ll do.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.44am BSTat 10.44am BST
10.26am BST10.26am BST
10:2610:26
Joanna RuckJoanna Ruck
Images from Amatrice before and after the earthquake struck show the extent of the impact.Images from Amatrice before and after the earthquake struck show the extent of the impact.
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at 10.42am BSTat 10.42am BST
10.24am BST10.24am BST
10:2410:24
The Italian Red Cross has urged drivers to avoid using the Via Salaria, the main road north-east of Rome, so that rescue workers can reach the worst-hit areas.The Italian Red Cross has urged drivers to avoid using the Via Salaria, the main road north-east of Rome, so that rescue workers can reach the worst-hit areas.
#Terremoto, automobilisti invitati ad evitare di percorrere Via Salaria per permettere ai mezzi di soccorso di raggiungere le zone colpite.#Terremoto, automobilisti invitati ad evitare di percorrere Via Salaria per permettere ai mezzi di soccorso di raggiungere le zone colpite.
Via Salaria, RomeVia Salaria, Rome
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at 10.25am BSTat 10.25am BST
10.19am BST10.19am BST
10:1910:19
Nine people are confirmed dead in Accumoli, with at least three other people missing, the mayor has told Rai News. The official also said at least 2,000 have been left homeless.Nine people are confirmed dead in Accumoli, with at least three other people missing, the mayor has told Rai News. The official also said at least 2,000 have been left homeless.
#terremoto sindaco #Accumoli: 9 morti e 3-4 dispersi. Almeno 2.000 sfollati pic.twitter.com/Hehp5E04QI#terremoto sindaco #Accumoli: 9 morti e 3-4 dispersi. Almeno 2.000 sfollati pic.twitter.com/Hehp5E04QI
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.23am BSTat 10.23am BST
10.04am BST10.04am BST
10:0410:04
The clock on a tower in Amatrice stopped just after 3.35am when the earthquake struck.The clock on a tower in Amatrice stopped just after 3.35am when the earthquake struck.
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at 10.05am BSTat 10.05am BST
9.44am BST9.44am BST
09:4409:44
The mayor of Accumoli confirms four dead and eight missing in the village, according to state broadcaster. Earlier it reported that six people had been killed in Accumoli.The mayor of Accumoli confirms four dead and eight missing in the village, according to state broadcaster. Earlier it reported that six people had been killed in Accumoli.
NEWS/ #Terremoto: sindaco Accumoli, al momento 4 morti e 8 dispersi.NEWS/ #Terremoto: sindaco Accumoli, al momento 4 morti e 8 dispersi.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.46am BSTat 9.46am BST
9.31am BST9.31am BST
09:3109:31
Video has emerged showing the extent of the devastation in Pescara del Tronto, where at least 10 people were killed. It starts with an aerial view of the damage to the hill village, then cuts to views of rubble-strewn streets and ends with a team of officials discussing the rescue plan.Video has emerged showing the extent of the devastation in Pescara del Tronto, where at least 10 people were killed. It starts with an aerial view of the damage to the hill village, then cuts to views of rubble-strewn streets and ends with a team of officials discussing the rescue plan.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.38am BSTat 9.38am BST
9.13am BST
09:13
State broadcaster: 21 confirmed dead
State broadcaster Rai News reports 21 confirmed deaths. It reports that six people were killed in the nearby village of Accumoli. There are also 10 confirmed dead in Pescara del Tronto, north of the reported epicentre, and a further five in Amatrice.
The mayor of Amatrice said dozens had been killed in the town.
#terremoto bilancio provvisorio: 21 morti accertati. 10 a #PescaradelTronto 6 ad #Accumoli e 5 ad #Amatrice pic.twitter.com/Ol0IzAEQJw
Updated
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9.02am BST
09:02
Pope Francis has thanked rescue workers and volunteers and invited everyone to join him in prayer for the victims, according to Rai News.
#terremoto +++ Papa: ringrazio questi volontari e uomini protezione civile e invito tutti a unirsi in preghiera +++ pic.twitter.com/dTVAPlauhJ
8.58am BST
08:58
Simona Mani lives in York but returned to her hometown of Acquasparta (about 90km west of epicentre) yesterday to visit her family on holiday. She gives this account:
“This was definitely the strongest experience of an earthquake I have ever had, as the epicentre was close to here and near the surface. My parents and I were abruptly awoken when we heard a loud noise and felt the house shake violently.
Some objects fell from the walls and we ran outside, as did many neighbours and most of the village. A typical quake here lasts just a few seconds, but in this case we woke up, ran out, talked to each other, and the earth kept shaking the whole time. It seems the quake lasted about 20 seconds, but it felt endless.
Fortunately our home was recently built and resistant to medium earthquakes. Our neighbours and the rest of the family also didn’t have any property damage. However, many other small villages around the area are really struggling at the moment. We hesitated going back into the house, and at about 4.30am there was an aftershock, a little less intense and shorter in time.
We kept feeling minor shakes until the early morning. Most of the people have gone back inside, but decided to sleep on the ground floors rather than their usual first floor bedrooms, so that they could escape quickly if another strong quake happened.
Some neighbours are looking for tents to sleep outside tonight, as there will probably be other aftershocks in the next few hours. Local research centres have recorded more than 50 shakes of various intensities.
We feel for the people of Accumoli, Amatrice, and all the areas that have been affected by buildings collapsing and we hope to be able to help as soon as possible.”
Updated
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8.50am BST
08:50
'Dozens of dead' in Amatrice
The mayor of Amatrice, Sergio Pirozzi, has told the Italian state broadcaster that there are “dozens of dead”. RAI News quoted him saying: “There are so many dead I cannot make an estimate. We have already extracted several dead bodies but we do not know how many there are there below.”
He added: “There are dozens of victims, many under the rubble, we are setting up a place for the bodies.”
NEWS/ #Terremoto: sindaco Amatrice, 'decine morti'.
Updated
at 9.04am BST
8.28am BST
08:28
Caroline Bannock
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8.26am BST
08:26
Video, purported to be from Cornillo Vecchio, which is a few kilometres north of Amatrice shows cars covered in rubble.
Video from my father in law 5km from #Amatrice #ItalyEarthquake pic.twitter.com/k4ECDM05KZ
8.14am BST
08:14
Aerial views of Amatrice suggest that the mayor was not exaggerating when he said “half of the town is gone”.
Updated
at 8.27am BST
8.09am BST
08:09
At least 10 dead
Both Reuters and AFP say at least 10 people were killed in the quake, citing local media. The national civil protection agency said it could not give an official toll as rescue efforts were still under way.
Deaths were reported in three villages in a mountainous area straddling the regions of Lazio and Marche: Amatrice, Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto.
“The situation is dramatic, there are many dead. I cannot give a toll for now because rescue efforts are under way and it is very, very difficult,” said the mayor of Amatrice, Sergio Pirozzi.
According to local officials, two people have been confirmed dead at Arquata, five at Amatrice and two in Accumoli with a number of people unaccounted for in all three locations.
Earlier, the Accumoli mayor, Stefano Petrucci, told RAI state broadcaster that a family of four had been buried when their house collapsed, adding that there was no indication they had survived.
RAI quoted police as saying two people were known to have died in the nearby village of Pescara del Tronto. Two bodies were removed from the debris in Amatrice.
Updated
at 8.27am BST
8.04am BST
08:04
A camper who gave his name as Jonquil describes being woken by the quake.
I was camping near Serramonacesca, about 100km south of epicentre. I was woken by a sensation similar to that of a giant taking hold of my tent and shaking it vigorously for about six seconds. It was followed by sound of falling rocks as mountainside in neighbouring valley collapses.
Updated
at 8.27am BST
7.55am BST
07:55
Dramatic images have emerged of a survivor being pulled from the rubble in Amatrice.
Updated
at 8.28am BST