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Rescuers hunt for survivors of Italian earthquake

Death toll rises as world offers help to stricken region

25.08.2016 - Update : 26.08.2016
Rescuers hunt for survivors of Italian earthquake

ROME

The death toll in the Italian earthquake reached 247 on Thursday, local media reported, as rescue teams continued to search for survivors.

Scores of people are still thought to be trapped under rubble in central Italy, where a 6.2-magnitude quake shook the mountain villages of Amatrice, Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto early Wednesday morning.

More than 4,300 search-and-rescue workers toiled through the night. Many residents spent the night in tents following a strong 4.9-magnitude aftershock Wednesday afternoon that threatened to collapse buildings damaged in the first tremor.

State-run news agency ANSA, citing the Department of Civil Protection, reported 190 deaths in Rieti province and 57 in neighboring Ascoli Piceno province.

Hundreds of others were injured in the disaster, which struck at 3.36 a.m. local time (0136GMT) Wednesday.

In 2009, around 300 people were killed in an earthquake that struck L'Aquila, a city to the south of the region hit by Wednesday’s quake.

ANSA quoted Renzi as vowing to “leave no one on their own -- not one family, one town or one village.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon offered his “deepest condolences” and said the UN was ready to help while U.S. President Barack Obama offered American assistance with recovery efforts.

In a statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the country was “standing by Italy in its difficult time” and was “ready for any help if necessary.”

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