ROME – At least 18 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck central Italy in the early hours today, according to local officials. Six bodies were recovered at Amatrice, according to the president of the Lazio region, and two at Accumoli, according to the town’s mayor. "Half the village has disappeared," said Sergio Pirozzi, mayor of Amatrice village that was packed with visitors at the peak of the summer season. The first quake struck shortly after 3.30 am (0130 GMT), according to the United States Geological Survey, and a 5.4 magnitude aftershock followed an hour later. Another quake hit the northern Emilia Romagna region in May 2012, when two violent shocks 10 days apart left 23 people dead and 14,000 others homeless.

Source: Viet Nam News August 24, 2016 05:15 UTC