[Ammi]

ROME, Aug 24 (Reuters) - A strong earthquake struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday, causing buildings to collapse "with reports of victims" and sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets of numerous towns and cities.

The U.S. Geological Survey said it was a 6.2 magnitude quake that hit near the town of Norcia, in the region of Umbria, at 3.36 a.m. (0136 GMT).

The mayor of the small town of Amatrice reported extensive damage. "Half the town is gone," Sergio Pirozzi told RAI state television. "There are people under the rubble... There's been a landslide and a bridge might collapse."

Italy's civil protection agency said the earthquake was "severe". Fire Department spokesman Luca Cari said: "There have been reports of victims" in the quake zone, but he did not have any precise details.

The worst hit towns were believed to be Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto, Cari told Reuters, adding that helicopters would be sent up at first light to assess the damage.

"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."

Residents of Rome, some 170 km (105 miles) from the registered epicentre, were woken by the quake, which rattled furniture and swayed lights in most of central Italy.

A 5.5 magnitude aftershock hit the same region an hour after the initial quake.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's spokesman said on Twitter that the government was in touch with the country's civil protection agency and following the situation closely.

The last major earthquake to hit Italy struck the central city of L'Aquila in 2009, killing more than 300 people.

A refuge on the Gran Sasso mountain, a popular area for hikers and climbers, said on its Facebook page that a large piece of rock had collapsed in Wednesday's quake. (Reporting by Steve Scherer, Crispian Balmer, Philip Pullella, Stephen Jewkes, Eleanor Biles.; Editing by Nick Macfie)



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...sgs/ar-BBvYBxo

[Ammi]

...six people confirmed dead so far.....

[arista]

Yes 6 reported dead

Ref: LBC Radio/ GMBHD itv/ SkyNewsHD/ BBC

[Ammi]

[Ammi]

[arista]

Current Dead is 37
it will take time to dig people out
with over 100 missing

Ref : SkyNewsHD

[Vanessa]

I felt it last night. I'm in Italy. The whole building shook

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I felt it last night. I'm in Italy. The whole building shook

Glad you are OK

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by arista

Glad you are OK

Here everything is okay, but the epicentre was close, so we felt it.

[Will.]

Really sad

[Kizzy]

Isn't it odd that it's happened on the same day mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed Pompeii?...:/

Glad you're ok Vanessa!

[arista]

[Horrific details emerge
as rescuers hunt for 150
buried under rubble
after 6.2 magnitude
earthquake rocks Italy
killing at least 63]

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz4IG6fOnNA

[jaxie]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I felt it last night. I'm in Italy. The whole building shook

Stay safe Vanessa!

[arista]

Sadly the current total of Dead
is now 120.


ref : Ch4HDnews

[arista]

A 10 year old girl
was in the rubble for 15 hours
was slowly pulled out alive to safety.

Ref : Ch5HD 5PM news

[arista]

[arista]

More great news

A Golden Retriever Dog
named "Romeo" trapped for 9 days
came out Fit and Well
Fireman gave it some water,
the owner of the home went back to
see if anything he could save
from the rubble,
he heard faint barking.
Now the owner and his
Strong Dog are united.


293 people sadly died,

Ref: Ch4HD news.