Earthquake In Central Italy Amatrice - 6.2 Richter Magnitude

A strong earthquake shook central Italy ( 6.2 Richter Magnitude) early Wednesday causing extensive damage to areas near the epicenter (Amatrice) and killing at least 10 people.

The U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude at 6.2 with an epicenter about 10 kilometers southeast of the town of Norcia. The shaking was felt across a large part of the region, including the capital, Rome 150 kilometers away.



The quake struck just after 3:30 a.m. and was followed by multiple aftershocks. The hardest-hit areas included the towns of Amatrice and Accumoli.

Amatrice Mayor Sergio Pirozzi told state-run broadcaster RAI a large portion of the town was destroyed.

Rescuers worked after daybreak to try to reach those trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Wednesday's quake was not far from the the city of L'Aquila, hit by a 2009 quake that killed at least 300 people.