Italy was a strong earthquake, which destroyed the house while people were sleeping. At least 10 people were dead in the two most affected areas, which was partially destroyed.

The mayor of the earthquake-stricken city Accumuli, Stefano Petrucci, at least six people died, including a family of four. "There are deaths," he said a government-run Rai News 24.

"Four people are under blockages, but they do not show any signs of life. Two parents and two children, "RAI was quoted by Petrucci. News Agency ANSA reported that two bodies were found under the rubble of a building.

The force of the earthquake was 6 points, it happened around 3:30 in the morning, and was felt in a wide area of Central Italy, including Rome, where the people in the houses in the historic center of the city felt a long sway.

The most affected city and Accumuli Amatrice near Rieti, about 50 miles North-East of Rome. Center Amatrice was devastated, the whole Palazzo was razed to the ground. Rocks and metal fell to the streets and stunned residents huddled in the square, during the tremors in the early morning hours.

The first image shows destroyed buildings in towns and villages close to the Umbrian countryside. The Agency of civil protection of Italy said that the earthquake was "heavy", according to Reuters.

The European Mediterranean seismological center put the magnitude at 6.1. The USGS put the magnitude at 6.2 with the epicentre in Norcia, about 105 miles North-West of Rome, and with the relatively shallow depth of six miles.

The mayor of Amatrice, Sergio Pirozzi, said residents were buried under the collapsed buildings that the lights went out and that heavy equipment was needed to clear the streets covered with debris.
In 2009, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in the same area killed more than 300 people.
sections: Accidents, World News