Gilberto Saccorotti, a geologist at Italy’s National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology, told Al Jazeera: “That particular area has a long history of very important, very energetic seismicity – it’s not surprising to have had an important quake there”.
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“We have a tragedy here”, the mayor, Stefano Petrucci, said.
“We have news of injuries and collapses”, the head of the Civil Protection agency, Fabrizio Curcio, told public broadcaster Rainews24.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said it is in contact with Italian authorities, and that there are now 475 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in Italy.
Stylianides conveyed the EU’s condolences and expressed solidarity with Italy, saying that its “thoughts are also with the first responders and all those involved in the rescue operations”.
A map by the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows the location of a 6.2 magnitude quake that struck in central Italy.
At least six people have died as a result of the quake, BBC News said.
A strong natural disaster brought down buildings in mountainous central Italy early on Wednesday, trapping residents and sending others fleeing into the streets. The statement says he sends his condolences to the people of Italy.
The USGS gave the quake a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, and advised US Citizens in Italy to check in with friends on social media.
The mayor of another hard hit town, Accumoli, described extensive damage and casualties. The Franciscan friars who are the custodians of the basilica reported no immediate damage from Wednesday’s natural disaster.
Pope Francis skipped his traditional catechism for his Wednesday general audience and instead invited pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square to recite the rosary with him.
At least six people are believed to have died following a strong natural disaster in central Italy, officials told state broadcaster RAI on Wednesday. “Obviously, that’s shocking, and you’re going to want to verify that video”, he said.
The crowd in St. Peter’s Square recited the prayer along with him.
Aug 24, 2016- A magnitude 6.2 quake has struck central Italy, leaving at least two people dead and others trapped under rubble, Italian officials said.
As daylight dawned, residents, civil protection workers and even priests began digging out with shovels, bulldozers and their bare hands, trying to reach survivors.
Sergio Perozzi, the mayor of Amatrice, told RAI “roads in and out of town are cut off”.
The quake struck at 3:36 a.m. local time and lasted about 20 seconds, according to local media. The quake leveled buildings in several towns as residents slept. “I don’t know what we’ll do”.
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The natural disaster struck about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the town of Norcia at 3:36 a.m. local time.
