Italy earthquake: Before and after images show destruction

• 4 hours ago
 
• From the sectionEurope

Image copyrightAP

A strong earthquake has devastated a string of mountain towns and villages in central Italy, killing more than 240 people and leaving many unaccounted for.

The 6.2 magnitude quake, which was followed by several aftershocks, struck at 03:36 (01:36 GMT) on Wednesday, 100km (65 miles) north-east of Rome.

Worst affected were the towns of Accumoli and Amatrice and the village of Pescara del Tronto.

The first confirmed deaths following the quake came in Amatrice, when search teams found two bodies amid the rubble.

The town's mayor, Sergio Pirozzi, told the AP news agency that more than a dozen victims had been discovered by rescuers, but added: "I believe the number will rise."

Image copyrightGOOGLE/AP

Image captionThe main street through Amatrice was reduced to rubble following the earthquake

Image copyrightAP

Image captionThe clock tower in the town centre was left standing but many of the surrounding buildings were not

Image copyrightGOOGLE/REUTERS

Image captionMany homes in and around the small town were completely destroyed by the tremors

Image copyrightGOOGLE/AFP

Image captionA church in the town was also badly damaged, losing much of the top of the building and its roof

In Accumoli, a small mountain town, the first victims were a family of four who were found under the debris of a collapsed building.

Mayor Stefano Petrucci told reporters: "We have a tragedy here. There are people under the ruins."

He said the town of just 700 residents swells to 2,000 in the summer months thanks to tourism, but that he feared for its future after the earthquake.

"I hope they don't forget us," he told the Sky TG24 broadcaster.

Image copyrightGOOGLE/REUTERS

Image captionA residential building in the heart of Accumoli that was partially destroyed by the quake

Image copyrightAP

Image captionAccumoli Mayor Stefano Petrucci said some hundreds of people had been left homeless

The village of Pescara del Tronto was also badly hit, with the Italian news agency ANSA reporting that at least 10 people had been killed there.

The main road into and out of the town was covered in debris, making it difficult for search and rescue teams to gain access to some damaged areas.

Image copyrightGOOGLE/EPA

Image captionOne section of the road into Pescara del Tronto was almost entirely destroyed

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionPhotos taken from the air by regional firefighters showed much of the town flattened

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