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Italy earthquake: Magnitude 6.2 quake strikes near town of Norcia, bringing down buildings and killing at least 60 Italy earthquake: Magnitude 6.2 quake strikes near town of Norcia, bringing down buildings and killing at least 73
(35 minutes later)
Rescue workers have launched a desperate hunt for survivors beneath the rubble after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit central Italy killing at least 60 people.  Survivors are still being pulled from the rubble more than 12 hours after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit central Italy, killing at least 73 people. 
The quake struck in the early hours of the morning when most residents were asleep, razing homes and buckling roads in a cluster of communities some 140 km (85 miles) east of Rome.The quake struck in the early hours of the morning when most residents were asleep, razing homes and buckling roads in a cluster of communities some 140 km (85 miles) east of Rome.
Since then, the death toll has kept rising, and it is expected to continue doing so. Italy's civil protection unit says 73 are now known to have died.  
"The town isn't here anymore," said the mayor of Amatrice in northern Lazio, believed to be one of the worst-hit areas, and where residents are buried under the debris of collapsed buildings."The town isn't here anymore," said the mayor of Amatrice in northern Lazio, believed to be one of the worst-hit areas, and where residents are buried under the debris of collapsed buildings.
The death toll is expected to rise from the quake, which struck near the Umbrian town of Norcia and sent out tremors that could be felt for 20 seconds in Rome, as far north as Bologna and as far south as Naples. The quake hit near the Umbrian town of Norcia, in an area popular as a summer holiday destination. Tremors could be felt for 20 seconds in Rome, as far north as Bologna and as far south as Naples.
The worst hit towns were believed to be Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto, spokesman for the Italian fire department Luca Cari told Reuters. The worst hit towns were believed to be Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto, a spokesman for the Italian fire department Luca Cari told Reuters.
Aerial images of Amatrice showed the extent of the devastation, and 17 deaths have been confirmed in the town alone. Rescue teams were struggling working to reach all its 69 surrounding hamlets, and mayor Sergio Pirozzi said he had given them indications of which ones might still have people trapped.Aerial images of Amatrice showed the extent of the devastation, and 17 deaths have been confirmed in the town alone. Rescue teams were struggling working to reach all its 69 surrounding hamlets, and mayor Sergio Pirozzi said he had given them indications of which ones might still have people trapped.
"There are people under the rubble... There's been a landslide and a bridge might collapse," he said. "There are people under the rubble... There's been a landslide and a bridge might collapse," he said. 
The Italian news agency Ansa reported 12 hours after the quake hit that the toll across the region had risen to 60. 
Asked about the number of deaths, Mr Pirozzi said: "I believe the number will rise."  Asked about the number of deaths, Mr Pirozzi said: "I believe the number will rise."  
The mayor of Arquata, Aleandro Petrucci, said "all the houses have collapsed" in Pescara del Tronto.The mayor of Arquata, Aleandro Petrucci, said "all the houses have collapsed" in Pescara del Tronto.
"It's a disaster. We are trying to evacuate the village and move them to a sports field. I've just arrived and I feel like crying. I've never seen such an apocalyptic scene except for the  L'Aquila earthquake on television.""It's a disaster. We are trying to evacuate the village and move them to a sports field. I've just arrived and I feel like crying. I've never seen such an apocalyptic scene except for the  L'Aquila earthquake on television."
The quake struck shortly after 3.30am local time, and was followed by several aftershocks. One, around an hour later, was recorded as magnitude 5.5 by the US Geological Survey.The quake struck shortly after 3.30am local time, and was followed by several aftershocks. One, around an hour later, was recorded as magnitude 5.5 by the US Geological Survey.
The mayor of Accumoli said a number of buildings had been badly damaged.The mayor of Accumoli said a number of buildings had been badly damaged.
“Four people are under the rubble, but they are not showing any sign of life. Two parents and two children,” Mayor Stefano Petrucci told RAI television.“Four people are under the rubble, but they are not showing any sign of life. Two parents and two children,” Mayor Stefano Petrucci told RAI television.
RAI quoted police as saying two people were known to have died in the nearby village of Pescara del Tronto.RAI quoted police as saying two people were known to have died in the nearby village of Pescara del Tronto.
The earthquake hit a relatively sparsely populated area on the border between three regions - Umbria, Lazio and Marche, causing damage in all three.The earthquake hit a relatively sparsely populated area on the border between three regions - Umbria, Lazio and Marche, causing damage in all three.
Norcia, around 10km from the epicentre, has a picturesque historic centre and is a popular tourist site.Norcia, around 10km from the epicentre, has a picturesque historic centre and is a popular tourist site.
Mayor Nicola Alemanno said no deaths have been reported deaths in Norcia.Mayor Nicola Alemanno said no deaths have been reported deaths in Norcia.
“The anti-seismic structures of the town have held. There is damage to the historic heritage and buildings, but we do not have any serious injuries,” he told Rai.“The anti-seismic structures of the town have held. There is damage to the historic heritage and buildings, but we do not have any serious injuries,” he told Rai.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's office said rescue teams were being sent to the worst-hit areas.Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's office said rescue teams were being sent to the worst-hit areas.
Italy's civil protection agency said the earthquake was “severe”.Italy's civil protection agency said the earthquake was “severe”.
“It was so strong. It seemed the bed was walking across the room by itself with us on it,” Lina Mercantini of Ceselli, Umbria, told Reuters.“It was so strong. It seemed the bed was walking across the room by itself with us on it,” Lina Mercantini of Ceselli, Umbria, told Reuters.
Olga Urbani, in the nearby town of Scheggino, said: “Dear God it was awful. The walls creaked and all the books fell off the shelves.”Olga Urbani, in the nearby town of Scheggino, said: “Dear God it was awful. The walls creaked and all the books fell off the shelves.”
Television stations showed images of rubble-strewn streets in a number of towns. The facades of some old stone buildings had collapsed, leaving the inside rooms exposed.Television stations showed images of rubble-strewn streets in a number of towns. The facades of some old stone buildings had collapsed, leaving the inside rooms exposed.
A resident of the hamlet of Illica, north of hard-hit Amatrice, reached for a literary reference to describe the scene after the earthquake hit. A resident of the hamlet of Illica, north of hard-hit Amatrice, reached for a literary reference to describe the scene after the earthquake hit. 
Agostino Severo, who was visiting from Rome, said: "We came out to the piazza, and it looked like 'Dante's Inferno.' People crying for help, help. Rescue workers arrived after one hour... one and a half hours." Agostino Severo, who was visiting from Rome, said: "We came out to the piazza, and it looked like 'Dante's Inferno.' People crying for help, help. Rescue workers arrived after one hour... one and a half hours." 
Residents of Rome, some 170 km (105 miles) from the epicentre, were woken by the quake, which rattled furniture and swayed lights in most of central Italy.Residents of Rome, some 170 km (105 miles) from the epicentre, were woken by the quake, which rattled furniture and swayed lights in most of central Italy.
There were 17 reported aftershocks in the three hours following the initial quake, the strongest measuring 5.5, the Italian seismic office said. It measured the original quake at 6.0. Scores of aftershocks were reported in the hours following the initial quake.
The last major earthquake to hit Italy struck the central city of L'Aquila in 2009, killing more than 300 people.The last major earthquake to hit Italy struck the central city of L'Aquila in 2009, killing more than 300 people.
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies