Strong earthquake hits Italy: Large number of dead, Amatrice no longer exists

At least 18 people have died in a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday, numerous houses have been destroyed, and the town of Amatrice is the hardest hit, reports the Patria news agency. 

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.2, struck near the town of Norcia in the Umbria region at 3:36 a.m. All four victims of the quake were recorded in Amatrice, which was the hardest hit along with the towns of Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto.

The mayor of Amatrice, Sergio Pirozzi, said the town had suffered extensive damage.

"The roads leading into and out of the town are cut off. Half the town is destroyed," the mayor told RAI television. "People are under the rubble. There have been landslides, and a bridge could collapse."

Fire department spokesman Luca Cari said there were reports of casualties, but could not provide any further details. Helicopters will take off at dawn to assess the damage, he added.

"It was so strong. It felt like the bed was moving across the room," said Lina Mercantini from Ceselli in Umbria.

The earthquake also woke residents of Rome. A 5.5 magnitude aftershock struck the same region an hour after the initial quake.

A spokesman for Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Twitter that the government is in contact with civil protection authorities and is monitoring the situation. The last major earthquake to hit Italy was the 6.3 magnitude quake in L'Aquila in 2009, which killed more than 300 people, Index reports.