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Several killed in Italian quake Several killed in Italian quake
(40 minutes later)
At least 13 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake that struck central Italy, Italian officials say. At least 16 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake that struck central Italy, Italian officials say.
The magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit at 0332 (0132 GMT) about 95km (60 miles) north-east of the capital, Rome, at a depth of 10km. The magnitude-6.3 earthquake hit at 0332 (0132 GMT) near the city of L'Aquila, about 95km (60 miles) north-east of the capital, Rome.
Four children were said to be among the dead, with reports of more fatalities in and around the city of L'Aquila. Five children were said to be among the dead. The death toll was rising.
A civil protection official told the BBC that 3,000 to 10,000 buildings may have been damaged by the earthquake. A civil protection official told the BBC that 3,000 to 10,000 buildings may have been damaged by the earthquake in L'Aquila, a Medieval city.
Agostino Miozzo said that thousands could have been made homeless. He described scenes of panic, but said that rescue workers were on the scene. Agostino Miozzo said that thousands could have been made homeless. He described widespread panic, but said rescue workers were on the scene.
The mayor of L'Aquila, Massimo Cialente, said some 100,000 people had left their homes.
Television footage of L'Aquila showed a number of collapsed buildings.Television footage of L'Aquila showed a number of collapsed buildings.
Officials said they feared the death toll would rise as workers made their way through the rubble.Officials said they feared the death toll would rise as workers made their way through the rubble.
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. L'AQUILA Medieval city, founded in the 13th CenturyCapital of the mountainous Abruzzo regionPopulation 70,000, with many thousands more tourists and foreign studentsWalled city with narrow streets, lined by Baroque and Renaissance buildings
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.
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.
Have you been affected by the earthquake? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by the earthquake? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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