Severe earthquake hits central Italy, 160 dead and 400 injured

Rome: A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday causing death of at least 160 people and injuring 400 others. The quake that was followed by a 5.5 magnitude of aftershock has resulted in collapse of buildings.

According to the US Geological Survey the quake hit near the town of Norcia, in Umbria, at 0336 hours.

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What officials stated:

• Sergio Pirozzi, the Mayor of Amatrice, a small town in Rome said, “Half the town is gone. There are people under the rubble. There has a landslide and a bridge also collapsed.”
• According to reports of Italy’s civil protection agency, the earthquake was ‘severe’. Luca Cari, the fire department spokesperson, stated, “The worst hit towns were believed to be Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto.”
• “There have been reports of victims in the quake zone, but we not have any precise details. Helicopters would be sent up at first light to assess the damage,” stated Cari.
• Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s spokesman posted on twitter that the government is monitoring the situation closely and is in constant contact with civil protection agency.

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More details awaited...