Italian Earthquake

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has hit a mountainous area of central Italy killing at least 250 and injuring more than 350 people.

19:36 25 August 2016

At least 250 people have been killed in an earthquake that hit a mountainous area of central Italy, civil protection officials have confirmed. At least 86 of the dead were in the historic town of Amatrice and 34 people from Le March province. Health minister Beatrice Lorenzin said that there were many children among the dead. 

 

In Accumoli, the dead include a family of four. Mayor Stefano Petrucci said that not a house in the town was fit for habitation and that tents would be set up for those who were displaced.

 

Many people are still believed to be buried under the rubble. Rescue teams are searching for survivors using heavy lifting equipment and their bare hands. Among those that were pulled alive from the rubble was an eight-year-old girl who has been trapped for 17 hours.

 

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said that they expect the toll to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.

 

He promised "no family, no city, no hamlet will be left behind".

 

The 6.2 magnitude earthquake was felt across Italy, from Bologna in the north to Naples in the south. Hardest hit were the small towns and villages in the mountainous areas were the regions of Umbria, Lazio and Le Marche meet.