Italy earthquake leaves 39 dead, towns in ruins

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A strong, shallow earthquake devastated towns in central Italy early Wednesday, killing at least 39 people and leaving rescuers desperately digging through the rubble to free survivors.
The 6.2-magnitude earthquake badly damaged villages in a mountainous rural area of central Italy that is a popular vacation spot, bustling with tourists during the summer break.
Italy's civil protection agency reported 39 dead, but the death toll is expected to continue to rise as rescue teams reach the remote sites where the damage is worst. Among the dead are 10 people in the village of Pescara del Tronto, six in Accumoli and five in Amatrice, CNN affiliate Rai reported, adding that children were among the victims. Roberto Paoletti, a firefighter in the municipality of Arquata del Tronto told CNN a young girl had died in the village.
Authorities say they cannot put a figure on the number trapped under the rubble.
The earthquake hit 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Norcia at 3:36 a.m. (9:36 p.m. Tuesday ET), and was about 10 kilometers deep, the United States Geological Survey said. Its tremors even rattled Rome, about 100 miles away.

Italy earthquake leaves 39 dead, towns in ruins

By Barbie Latza Nadeau, Tim Hume and Vasco Cotovio, CNN
Updated 8:12 AM ET, Wed August 24, 2016
See the rubble after earthquake in Italy 01:37

Story highlights

  • The worst affected areas are villages in a mountainous area of central Italy
  • Rescue workers focus on finding survivors amid the rubble
Are you in Italy? Are you affected by the earthquake? If it's safe for you to do so, WhatsApp us on +44 7435 939 154 to share your photos, experiences and video. Please tag #CNNiReport in your message.
Saletta, Italy (CNN)A strong, shallow earthquake devastated towns in central Italy early Wednesday, killing at least 39 people and leaving rescuers desperately digging through the rubble to free survivors.
The 6.2-magnitude earthquake badly damaged villages in a mountainous rural area of central Italy that is a popular vacation spot, bustling with tourists during the summer break.
    READ: Live updates
    Italy's civil protection agency reported 39 dead, but the death toll is expected to continue to rise as rescue teams reach the remote sites where the damage is worst. Among the dead are 10 people in the village of Pescara del Tronto, six in Accumoli and five in Amatrice, CNN affiliate Rai reported, adding that children were among the victims. Roberto Paoletti, a firefighter in the municipality of Arquata del Tronto told CNN a young girl had died in the village.
    Authorities say they cannot put a figure on the number trapped under the rubble.
    Collapsed and damaged houses in Pescara del Tronto.
    Collapsed and damaged houses in Pescara del Tronto.
    The earthquake hit 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Norcia at 3:36 a.m. (9:36 p.m. Tuesday ET), and was about 10 kilometers deep, the United States Geological Survey said. Its tremors even rattled Rome, about 100 miles away.

    Amatrice mayor: 'The town is no more'

    Amatrice, a town of about 2,000 people north of Italy's Lazio region, is in ruins.
    "The town is no more," Mayor Sergio Pirozzi told the affiliate, appealing to rescuers: "Help us."
    Rescue workers called Amatrice residents' cellphones, and tried to get to those who answered, the affiliate reported. If there was no answer, rescuers moved on to the next person.

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