The president of the European commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has written to Italy’s prime minister, Matteo Renzi, expressing solidarity and offering assistance.
We stand, as ever, in solidarity with the Italian nation and are ready to assist in any way we can. #ItalyEarthquake pic.twitter.com/l7yEZWrvth
— Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) August 24, 2016
The official death toll has increased again and is expected to rise further, Reuters reports.
At least 38 people died in a powerful earthquake that hit central Italy early on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the civil protection department said.
The quake struck towns and villages in the mountainous heart of the country, which was making the rescue operation more difficult, said spokeswoman Immacolata Postiglione.
Speaking to journalists, Postiglione said 27 people had died between the towns of Accumoli and Amatrice, and a further 10 had died in the nearby Arquata area. Later in her press conference she upped the death toll to 38, without giving further details.
Rai News cited the same figure.
#terremoto Protezione civile aggiorna: 38 i morti, 10 ad Arquata del Tronto, 28 tra Amatrice e Accumoli @RaiNews
— Silvia Balducci (@silviabalducci) August 24, 2016
At least 37 people were killed in the earthquake, according to a spokeswoman for Italy’s civil protection agency quoted by Reuters.
The Italian news agency Aska News has footage of several people being rescued from the debris in Amatrice, one of the worst-hit towns.
The centre of the town was reduced to rubble as entire buildings collapsed, according to the Associated Press.
Rocks and metal tumbled on to the streets and dazed residents huddled in piazzas as some 39 aftershocks jolted the region into the early morning hours, some as strong as 5.1.
“The whole ceiling fell but did not hit me,” said resident Maria Gianni. “I just managed to put a pillow on my head and I wasn’t hit luckily, just slightly injured my leg.”
Another woman, sitting in front of her destroyed home with a blanket over her shoulders, said she didn’t know what had become of her loved ones.
“It was one of the most beautiful towns of Italy and now there’s nothing left,” she said, too distraught to give her name. “I don’t know what we’ll do.”
Images from Amatrice before and after the earthquake struck show the extent of the impact.
The Italian Red Cross has urged drivers to avoid using the Via Salaria, the main road north-east of Rome, so that rescue workers can reach the worst-hit areas.
#Terremoto, automobilisti invitati ad evitare di percorrere Via Salaria per permettere ai mezzi di soccorso di raggiungere le zone colpite.
— Croce Rossa Italiana (@crocerossa) August 24, 2016
Via Salaria, Rome
Nine people are confirmed dead in Accumoli, with at least three other people missing, the mayor has told Rai News. The official also said at least 2,000 have been left homeless.
#terremoto sindaco #Accumoli: 9 morti e 3-4 dispersi. Almeno 2.000 sfollati pic.twitter.com/Hehp5E04QI
— Rainews (@RaiNews) August 24, 2016
The clock on a tower in Amatrice stopped just after 3.35am when the earthquake struck.
The mayor of Accumoli confirms four dead and eight missing in the village, according to state broadcaster. Earlier it reported that six people had been killed in Accumoli.
NEWS/ #Terremoto: sindaco Accumoli, al momento 4 morti e 8 dispersi.
— Rai Radio1 (@Radio1Rai) August 24, 2016
Video has emerged showing the extent of the devastation in Pescara del Tronto, where at least 10 people were killed. It starts with an aerial view of the damage to the hill village, then cuts to views of rubble-strewn streets and ends with a team of officials discussing the rescue plan.
