At least 16 people, including five children were killed when an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale destroyed hundreds of homes in central Italy early this morning.
Another 30 people are missing after the earthquake struck at 3.32 am (0132 GMT) near l'Aquila in the mountainous region of Abruzzo 60 miles (95 kilometres) north of Rome.
Dawn revealed a scene of devastation in the town, the epicentre of the earthquake, as rubble blocked the streets and rescue workers desperately searched for survivors in the ruins of the collapsed buildings.
The death toll rose through the night and is expected to keep rising, according to police.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6042619.ece |