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24 Aug 2016

'Three quarters of the town is not there anymore'

9:59 pm on 24 August 2016

The small town of Amatrice is among those worst affected by today's 6.2 magnitude earthquake in central Italy, with its mayor describing widespread devastation.

Rescuers coordinate their efforts to free people trapped under the rubble in Amatrice. Photo: AFP

Relief forces search for victims with detection dogs in Amatrice. Photo: AFP

A rescuer searches the rubble of a building in Amatrice. Photo: AFP

A rescue worker and dog searching for trapped people in Amatrice. Photo: AFP

Collapsed houses in Pescara del Tronto. Photo: AFP

Rescuers free a person from the rubble in Amatrice. Photo: AFP

Rescuers carry a man from the rubble in Amatrice.

An injured man stands after a strong earthquake hit the Italian town of Amatrice. AFP

A handout picture provided by Vigili del Fuoco shows aerial view of damaged houses in Amatrice. Photo: AFP

Amatrice hit by quake. Photo: / AFP

Rescuers search for victims among the rubble of a house after a strong earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: AFP

Rescuers search for victims in the rubble after a strong earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Victims and rescuers walk among the rubble of houses after a strong earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: AFP

Italian town Amatrice hit by quake. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Residents among the rubble after a strong earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Italian town Amatrice hit by quake. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Rescuers carry an injured man among damaged homes in Amatrice. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Residents stand among damaged buildings after an earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Two men walk on a damaged home after a strong earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Rescuers and residents search for victims among damaged buildings after a strong earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

A man reacts after a strong earthquake hit Amatrice. Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

The quake hit at 3:36am (1.36pm NZT), 76km southeast of the city of Perugia, at the very shallow depth of 10km.

The worst affected towns are believed to include Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta, Pescara del Tronto and Arquata del Tronto, with at least 20 people believed to be dead.

Review RNZ's live coverage or read the summary of events so far.

Two bodies were removed from the debris in Amatrice, Reuters reported - with images showing widespread damage to the town.

"Three quarters of the town is not there anymore," Amatrice mayor Sergio Pirozzi told Italian national public broadcaster RAI. "The aim now is to save as many lives as possible. There are voices under the rubble, we have to save the people there."

A Reuters reporter said the town's hospital had been badly damaged by the quake, with patients moved into the streets.