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'Several killed' in Italy quake 'Several killed' in Italy quake
(10 minutes later)
Several people are reported to have been killed in a powerful earthquake in central Italy.Several people are reported to have been killed in a powerful earthquake in central Italy.
The magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck at 0332 (0132 GMT) about 95km (60 miles) north-east of the capital, Rome, at a depth of 10km.The magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck at 0332 (0132 GMT) about 95km (60 miles) north-east of the capital, Rome, at a depth of 10km.
Four children were said to be among as many as 13 people killed in and around the city of L'Aquila, according to Italian media reports. Four children were said to be among as many as 13 people killed in and around the city of L'Aquila.
A civil protection official told the BBC that 3,000 to 10,000 buildings may have been damaged by the earthquake.
Agostinoa Miozzo described scenes of panic, but said that rescue workers were on the scene.
Television footage of L'Aquila showed a number of collapsed buildings.Television footage of L'Aquila showed a number of collapsed buildings.
Rescue workers were reported to be on the scene.
A university residence and a church tower had been damaged, Reuters news agency said, and there were reports of damage in surrounding towns.
A civil protection official told Reuters news agency that the earthquake could leave thousands of people homeless.
AftershocksAftershocks
L'Aquila, a medieval town of about 70,000 inhabitants with a number of old buildings, is the capital of the mountainous Abruzzo region.L'Aquila, a medieval town of about 70,000 inhabitants with a number of old buildings, is the capital of the mountainous Abruzzo region.
Italian journalist Paulo Pacitti told the BBC that the city centre had been hard hit. "All the people are now on the road, queuing - trying to reach a safe area," he said.Italian journalist Paulo Pacitti told the BBC that the city centre had been hard hit. "All the people are now on the road, queuing - trying to reach a safe area," he said.
The earthquake was also felt in Rome, where the BBC correspondent said he was woken up by the shaking.The earthquake was also felt in Rome, where the BBC correspondent said he was woken up by the shaking.
An aftershock with a magnitude of 4.8 was reported about an hour later by the US Geological Survey.An aftershock with a magnitude of 4.8 was reported about an hour later by the US Geological Survey.
Two smaller earthquakes struck the same region of Italy on Sunday but caused no damage.Two smaller earthquakes struck the same region of Italy on Sunday but caused no damage.
Powerful earthquakes are relatively rare in Italy. In 2002, an earthquake in the southern Italian town of San Giuliano di Puglia killed more than 20 people.Powerful earthquakes are relatively rare in Italy. In 2002, an earthquake in the southern Italian town of San Giuliano di Puglia killed more than 20 people.
In 1997, 13 people died when a strong earthquake struck Italy's central region.In 1997, 13 people died when a strong earthquake struck Italy's central region.


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