AMATRICE, Italy — Rescue workers raced against time to find survivors from an earthquake that struck central Italy Wednesday, as the death toll reached at least 159. ADVERTISING AMATRICE, Italy — Rescue workers raced against time to find survivors from
AMATRICE, Italy — Rescue workers raced against time to find survivors from an earthquake that struck central Italy Wednesday, as the death toll reached at least 159.
“It is a pain without limits,” Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said during a visit to the earthquake zone.
National civil protection chief Fabrizio Curcio told Italian media 159 people were confirmed killed in the quake.
It is feared the death count could rise further. Many victims remain trapped under rubble, and dozens of people are still missing with hopes of finding them alive fading.
A total of 368 injured and sick people were rescued from the two worst-hit villages, Amatrice and Accumoli, after the earthquake of a magnitude of at least 6 struck the regions of Umbria, Lazio and Le Marche at 3:36 a.m.
More than 1,500 people were left homeless in Le Marche alone, the ANSA news agency reported.
Italy was now standing together in solidarity to overcome the great challenges it faces after the quake, Renzi said.
“We will leave nobody on their own,” Renzi pledged as he thanked people — including many who had searched for survivors with their bare hands — for aiding the rescue effort.
State broadcaster RAI reported 112 people killed in Amatrice alone.
Amatrice Mayor Sergio Pirozzi told ANSA many were still trapped under the rubble. “We’re preparing a spot for the bodies,” he said.
